Building firm Kier has started construction work on the new Ayr Academy Learning Campus.

The £25 million project is being delivered by hub South West and was set up in conjunction with the Scottish Future's Trust and other partner organisations.

It is expected to open in August 2017.

The new Ayr Academy, which will have capacity for up to 1,000 pupils at Ayr's Craigie Estate, also incorporates sports and community facilities including sports pitches, a multi-use hall, two gyms and a dance studio.

Minister for Learning, Science & Scotland's Languages, Dr Alasdair Allan, said: "The benefits of the campus aren't just confined to education, with the project also supporting the local construction sector, creating fresh job opportunities and providing fantastic new facilities for the whole community to enjoy."

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Councillor Margaret Toner, South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Lifelong Learning, said: "It's great to see work getting underway to realise this fantastic new campus, a project that will transform the quality of education for a generation of pupils.

"In the next eighteen months people will see real progress as the project starts to take shape, and at the same time we'll be working closely with pupils so that they know exactly what to expect when they get here."

Brian McQuade, Managing Director of Kier Construction's Scotland & north-east England business said: "The delivery of this project will require around 200 people working on site at its peak, which means it's an important scheme for South Ayrshire's economy, creating valuable employment and training opportunities in our local supply chain."

(CD)