WIRRAL Metropolitan College's new Oval campus was officially opened on Friday.

Based next to the Oval Leisure Centre in Bebington, the new centre has been built specifically to provide facilities for sports and public services students.

It features a fully-equipped gym and fitness suite, general teaching areas, IT centre, outdoor sports and access to the swimming pool, and is now home to over 500 students.

Sports student Huicong Liu and Public Services student William Kell performed the officially ceremony.

Wirral Mayor and Mayoress, councillor Dave Mitchell and Mrs Sue Mitchell, planted a sapling tree which has been transported from the College's former Carlett Park Campus.

Sports students will be provide demonstrations of spinning classes and other sports activities in the gym and teaching areas.

Principal Sue Higginson said: "I am delighted that our new campus will enable young people to develop the skills and knowledge required for their careers in sports and public services.

"Our students move into careers in the police, fire, ambulance, Armed Forces, and a range of sports centres and facilities.

"We work closely with those employers to develop courses that equip our students with the skills they need to get their chosen job.

"I am also very pleased that our partnership with the local authority enables us to base our new facility at the Oval so we can provide a blend of good quality teaching and learning with excellent sports facilities."