A major milestone in the construction of Edinburgh Napier University's new Sighthill campus has been reached.

The highest point of the redeveloped, multimillion pound campus - part of the University's £100m investment strategy - has been completed as part of an official topping out ceremony.

The eco-friendly building is due to be finished in October 2010 and will become the new home of the University's Faculty of Health, Life and Social Sciences.

It will be the first time that the faculty will be located under one roof - providing cutting edge learning, teaching and research facilities for some 5,000 students and staff.

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The new campus is expected to act as a catalyst for wider re-generation in the North Sighthill area, and will provide community access to state-of-the-art sports facilities, health clinics and other related services.

Professor Dame Joan Stringer, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, said: "The topping out ceremony is an important milestone in the Sighthill redevelopment, a project which will not only create a landmark campus fit for 21st Century learning but will also benefit the community in which we operate.

"We anticipate that our campus will act as a catalyst for further regeneration of Sighthill and we will play an active role in developing a healthier Scotland by providing access to new sports facilities, health clinics and other services."

The Sighthill campus - currently being constructed by Balfour Beatty Construction - will also be a beacon of sustainability, with low carbon emissions and effective overall energy performance a key part of the design.

(GK/JM)