DUDLEY College bosses are celebrating after funding for its new sixth form centre has been boosted by a £2m grant.

Dudley Sixth, which is set to open in September on Ednam Road and offer state-of-the-art facilities for the borough’s A levels, has been given the money by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and will support the development of specialised science, technology, engineering and maths.

The funding will also allow for specialist equipment to be purchased for the physics and technology area, including laser cutting equipment.

College Principal, Lowell Williams, said: “We are delighted to have secured this additional funding to enhance the STEM facilities in Dudley Sixth. The college is investing heavily in Dudley. Our new Learning Quarter will provide a fantastic new learning environment, and whilst this extra funding is less than five per cent of the overall investment being made by the college, every little helps.

“Over recent years we have witnessed a significant amount of government funding invested across the Black Country, but not in Dudley. Unfortunately, funding was not available to support our Dudley Learning Quarter plans for the town centre, so we have financed the project through other means. However, it is encouraging to now see Dudley town centre at last getting some funding for education and skills.”