Plans for the new Ashford College in Elwick Road have taken a major step forward following a multi-million pound funding boost.

Hadlow Group, which runs Hadlow College and West Kent College, announced it has secured £9.8 million from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SE LEP).

The group submitted a big to the SE LEP Skills Capital Fund, which is designed to support the training of students and businesses in the region.

The money will be used to deliver phase one of the new Ashford College by building a new 5,112 square metre campus in the town centre – nearly the size of a football pitch.

The existing poor quality facilities will be replaced and the college will be able to support more than 900 additional students.

It is hoped that by relocating the college closer to the town centre it will make it more attractive to potential students.

The college would offer a mix of further education and higher education courses, apprenticeships and skill-based courses.

Ashford Borough Council’s (ABC) Cabinet agreed to provide a £2 million loan earlier this month to secure the funding.

Cllr Gerry Clarkson, ABC leader, said: "This is excellent news and means at long last we can realise our vision for a further and higher education college right in the heart of the town at Elwick Road, adjacent to the International Station.

"This will greatly assist in the plans to rejuvenate the town centre. A highly skilled local workforce is vital for the success of our versatile economic growth here in Ashford.

"Having our own first class education and skills provision within the town, provided by the highly regarded Hadlow Group, will play a key part in our future prosperity.

"This new college will help to put Ashford on the map, which is why the council recently agreed to provide funding support to this important project, and we cannot wait to see it come to fruition."

The cash will be available to be invested over the next two years and a further £4m will be invested in equipment for colleges and training providers through a separate bidding process.

Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, finance and resources director at Hadlow College, added: "This is key milestone in the long-awaited creation of a 21st century learning environment for the locality.

"Since the acquisition of the K College Ashford site in August 2014, we have worked closely with both Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council to deliver a timely result that will create aspiration, jobs and growth in the town.

"We are committed to Ashford and this scheme is fundamental to its regeneration."

Ashford MP Damian Green said: "This is great news not only for those who will study at the new College, but for Ashford as a whole.

"It will make a significant contribution to improving the look of the town centre, and bringing more people into the centre on a daily basis."