BOLTON Sixth Form College is set to expand as multi-million-pound plans have been passed.

Plans for a new area which will provide social spaces as well as teaching area were approved by council officers last week.

A four-storey extension at Bolton's only standalone sixth form can now go ahead at the back of its Deane Road campus.

The extension, paid for mainly by the college, will allow around 200 to 300 more students to be taken on.

The £3 million plans are said to reflect the success of the sixth form college since the new town centre campus opened just over eight years ago.

Principal Stuart Merrills said: "The college has sustained a high level of success over the past five years and is attracting more and more students – the college is becoming the first choice for students.

"Schools are also having to expanding as the numbers of pupils entering secondary schools increases and we do not want to be in a situation that we are not able to meet that increase in demand from students."

Bolton Sixth Form College opened its new £14 million modern campus in September 2010 and was followed by a £1.8 million fourth-floor extension three years later.