Redevelopment work has commenced at an outdoor learning education centre in Millport, North Ayrshire.

The project will involve a multi-million pound extension to the Field Studies Council (FSSC) Centre.

A turf-cutting ceremony was held at the site to mark the start of Phase One of the scheme. Work in this stage, which will cost around £3m, is expected to be completed by mid-May 2015.

The development will see a new accommodation building constructed with 32 twin en suite rooms, a 150-seat lecture theatre and a teaching laboratory/teaching room, while a car park and access roads will also be created. In addition, an environmentally-friendly Biomass District Heating system will be installed to reduce the Carbon footprint of the centre.

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Alan Hill, Cabinet Member for Community and Culture, commented: "It is a fantastic facility which brings students from across the country. So, as a Council, we were delighted to offer our support to these investment proposals. It will enhance the educational needs of the students and help boost the profile of an institution which already has an excellent reputation."

Rob Lucas, Field Studies Council Chief Executive, said: "Today our planned developments at FSC Millport take a big step forward thanks to the support of North Ayrshire Council, Highlands and Islands and Enterprise and the Scottish Government.

"We are working hard to develop the Centre into the leading site for marine and outdoor education, and these facilities will help us to attract more university and school students as well as providing facilities for a suite of professional development courses."

The University Marine Biological Station Millport (UMBSM) was formerly run by the University of London, but last year they pulled out, and the facility was forced to temporarily close. At the beginning of this year, the FSC acquired the site and approached the Council as well as other agencies to agree a funding package to ensure the long-term viability of the centre.

(JP/MH)