VISITORS to Eastleigh's Barton Peveril sixth form college will be able to get a glimpse of the shape of things to come during an open evening next month.

Work on a £7m building project, which will see a new sports hall, fitness suite, theatre, drama studio, dance studio and music facilities, is already beginning to take shape.

Building contractors started work on site last October and the new facilities are scheduled for completion by September 2005, with a revamp of the college's media and English facilities due to be finished by the end of the year.

Principal Godfrey Glyn is delighted with the progress of the project, pointing to the fact that it is only a few weeks since Eastleigh mayor Councillor June Hughes was at the college to cut the first turf for the extension.

He said: "Already, the new building is taking shape. It is exciting to see things happen so quickly and there is something new to see each day.

"Our contractors are doing really well. They are on course to complete the first stage by mid-August, in time for the start of the new academic year."

Visitors will be able to see the progress for themselves during an open evening at the college on February 10. Doors will be open between 6pm and 8pm, when staff and current students will be on hand to offer advice on courses, facilities and college life.