Key ceremony for Sandwell College

The keys to Sandwell College's new £77 million campus in West Bromwich have been handed over.

A ceremony was held at the Spon Lane site – dubbed the Big Dipper by residents because of its distinctive shape – to mark the milestone.

Principal Val Bailey said: "This amazing building and iconic development will develop the educational skills in what is one of the most deprived boroughs in the whole country. This, we hope, will be the catalyst for the regeneration of this area."

Large specialist equipment from the motor vehicle, engineering, carpentry and joinery, plumbing, painting and decorating workshops will be disconnected and relocated to the new college immediately after the Christmas break, before staff start to move across to their new site during the spring term.

Open days will be organised for prospective students from the second week of January.