Graham Construction has started work on a £23 million redevelopment project at a school in Dumfries and Galloway.

The scheme at St Joseph's College is part of the £60 million Phase 1 Dumfries Learning Town (DLT) programme, which will also see Graham deliver the North West Campus and The Bridge, an innovative centre of excellence available to all of the new schools.

Enabling works have already been completed at St Joseph's and work on the main college building will begin in early to mid August.

Features include fabric repair, restoration and refurbishment of the original Grade B-listed historic stone building. An existing extension will also be refurbished while a new wing will be built to provide all facilities under one roof. External works include developing a new 3G sports facility and the reinstatement of grass pitches.

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Graham was selected as principal contractor for the DLT programme by Hub South West, Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Scottish Futures Trust.

The two-phase programme is procured within the £500m Hub South West Scotland framework and funded by the Scottish Government's 'Schools for the Future' national programme.

Gary Holmes, Regional Director of GRAHAM Construction, said: "Dumfries Learning Town is an exciting project and we are looking forward to working with the partners to deliver a new approach to education for the area, starting with the redevelopment of historic St Joseph's College.

Michael McBrearty, Chief Executive of development partner Hub South West, added: "The Dumfries Learning Town Project will generate substantial employment, growth and investment at a local level, whilst creating the infrastructure to support the ongoing education of the young people of Dumfries and Galloway."

(LM/CD)