SOUTHAMPTON City College has submitted plans for a £34.7m redevelopment.

Staff say the new buildings will bring benefits to students and help to regenerate the St Mary's area.

They want to build a new restaurant where catering and hospitality students can serve up meals to the public all year round.

On the second floor of the same building hair and beauty students will be able to offer bargain hair-cuts and beauty treatments.

The creation of a central glass hub around the St Mary Street college's theatre complete with bar for theatre-goers is also proposed.

Learning areas for courses in theatre and media technology as well as business services and training will be created inside the building.

If given the go-ahead, the college, which has 1,300 full-time and 8,500 part-time students, will fund the scheme from its own finances, a loan and money from the Learning and Skills Council, which must also approve the scheme.

The college hopes its extra accommodation, due to be finished by 2010, will help to accommodate an extra 300 full-time students.

The plans have been submitted to Southampton City Council planners.