Harrogate College's new learning centre will be celebrating its official opening on Thursday.

Nearly £200,000 has been invested in the learning centre, which was completed in September.

It now houses nearly 70 personal computers, each with a full range of software and Internet and e-mail access.

There is also a selection of scanners, projection equipment and printers available for use.

The learning centre incorporates specialist software, which includes Braille scanners and printers, voice recognition software and screen magnifying programmes.

This software is used for staff development and also by students from Henshaw's School for the Blind.

Arthur Sargent, learning resources manager at Harrogate College, said that the new facilities had dramatically improved the students' access to electronic information and given them a greater depth to their ability to research curriculum-related material.

For further details on the learning centre facilities please contact Mr Sargent on 01423 878282.