�3m to go horticultural college

Artist's impression of the new learning resource centre at Northop

Work on the learning resource centre will start next month

The Welsh College of Horticulture (WCoH) in Flintshire is to receive more than £3m in government funding.

The college merged last month with the Deeside College and Glyndwr University in Wrexham.

The assembly government cash is for a new centre at the campus and the refurbishment of student accommodation and sports facilities.

The college offers students courses in subjects including animal care, organic horticulture, and floristry.

On 1 August, 2009 the Welsh College of Horticulture was merged with Deeside College and Glyndwr University.

Further Education provision at the college was transferred to Deeside College and higher education to Glyndwr University.

We want to ensure the future and stability of excellent education and training opportunities for people who want a career in the horticulture industry

Deputy Minister for Skills John Griffiths

Under the new funding, £2.4m is being given to Deeside College while £995,000 is being awarded to Glyndwr University to upgrade facilities at the Northop site.

Mr Griffiths said: "This progressive merger between the Welsh College of Horticulture and Deeside College and higher education with Glyndwr University is very exciting.

"It secures the future of this college which is a real asset to education provision in Wales.

He added: ""We want to ensure the future and stability of excellent education and training opportunities for people who want a career in the horticulture industry."

Construction of the resource centre will begin next month with the centre opening its doors to students next August.

Deeside College Principal David Jones said: "The £3m learning centre development that Deeside College will complete at the Northop campus over the next 10 months is just the beginning of a £12m investment plan that we have for the next three years which will support land based education in north Wales."