BARNET College opened the doors to it's new £50 million Wood Street Campus this morning.

Gavin Taylor, regional managing director of building contractor Vinci, handed keys over to Barnet College principal Marilyn Hawkins in a ceremony for the state-of-the-art building, in Wood Street, High Barnet.

Mrs Hawkins said: "I’m thrilled that the college has at last reached this high point in the long journey to redevelop this campus.”

The redevelopment took a total of five years to complete, with the actual building beginning in 2008.

Mrs Hawkins added: “Our fantastic new home is a testament to the hard work of all concerned, and will stand as a beacon for learners for many years to come.

“This will be a place that Barnet can be very proud of. The local community has been clear that the new campus makes a very welcome return to the area for the college.”

The campus, in Barnet town centre, offers courses in art and design, business and computing, health and social care, A-levels, travel and tourism, and English as a second language.

The building is described as “a landmark education centre”, and will be open for students in September.