Building work is well underway at a brand-new engineering and training centre outside Canterbury.

The site is to open to local students in September in a bid to fill a "clear skills gap" in the civil engineering sector.

It will feature a building containing an office, training centre and other facilities, while the yard outside will be set out as a series of stations where students can develop skills in areas such as drainage and bricklaying.

The centre - which is being built by developer Quinn Estates - is due to be completed in September, with the first students to start using the facility that month.

It is expected to cater for more than 300 pupils, studying courses ranging from construction certifications to full civil engineering apprenticeships.

The centre is being built for the EKC Group - which comprises institutions including Canterbury College, Ashford College, and Dover College - to help train the next generation of construction professionals.

It forms part of the Hoplands Park development, featuring 250 new two, three, and four-bed homes that are being built by Redrow Homes.

Quinn Estates chairman Mark Quinn said: "We are passionate about contributing positively to the communities in which we build.

"The planning committee voted unanimously in favour of this scheme a few years ago and we are delighted to now be on site and delivering on a project that will train young people for careers in the exciting construction sector."

Kurt Salter, managing director of EKC WorkHigher which forms part of the EKC Group, added: “It’s amazing to see this centre coming to fruition.

"There’s a clear skills gap in the civil engineering sector in this area, and our vision is for the centre to fully fill that, ensuring that employers have the right skills to grow and flourish in the future.

"We’re aiming to be the training centre of choice for local employers who need their staff to get formal qualifications, such as our apprenticeships, as well as for the smaller certificates they need.

"We’re really excited by the progress, and can’t wait to get in here to start training the next generation of talented construction professionals.”

On Friday, the site welcomed the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Pat Todd, along with city councillor Georgina Glover.

Cllr Glover (Con), who represents the Sturry ward, said: "Pre-planning, Quinn Estates were very active in talking to the local community and understanding the issues in the area.

"To now be in a position where a hugely significant and beneficial training facility is being built is really exciting and provides the young people in the district with such a great opportunity."