GOVERNMENT minister Tessa Jowell will help launch a new lecture complex at University College Winchester next week.

Mrs Jowell, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, will be one of the first speakers to appear at UCW's refurbished lecture hall, the Stripe.

She will address a conference of the Institute of Field Archaeologists on Wednesday, with delegates travelling from all over Britain and mainland Europe.

The opening address will be given by Professor Martin Biddle who will speak about archaeological investigations in Winchester since the 1960s - arguably some of the most important excavations conducted in a British town.

Dr Keith Wilkinson, of the archaeology department at UCW, said: "The IFA Conference is a very important event.

"It is the biggest archaeological conference held in Britain each year.

"We are extremely honoured to be able to host it this year - it will give Winchester a great deal of visibility on the archaeological stage."

This is one of the first conferences to be held at the Stripe since the main lecture theatre, formerly the John Stripe Theatre, has been totally refurbished.

The new complex will eventually provide two lecture theatres, seating 320 and 190 people respectively, with additional reception rooms.

The modern glass and steel structure will be completed in the next few months.

It will also incorporate an environmentally-friendly living green roof, which will change colour with the seasons.

The complex is the latest in a continuing modernisation of the UCW campus to accommodate the 5,500 students.

UCW adopted its name in June 2004 after it acquired taught degree awarding powers and changed from being King Alfred's College.

Previously its students obtained their degrees from the University of Southampton.