A LANDMARK lab has opened at a Basingstoke college - and the star guest was a true champion.

The 2003 British touring car champion Rob Collard was the VIP guest at the opening of the new autolab at BCOT.

The state-of-the-art AT2000 Autolab at the college, in Worting Road, Basingstoke, will enable students to get hands-on practice at working on modern cars and their electrical systems.

Kevin Kerr, the automotive technologies project manager, said: "The new lab is the only one I know of in the local area.

"It will be very useful to full-time and part-time students, and also hopefully to local technicians to update their skills."

Mr Kerr said the new lab, which is a conversion of a conventional workshop and cost £120,000, includes equipment to locate and fix electrical faults.

He said: "With the new lab, we can take the teaching a stage further.

"Before, this was done on a smaller scale, but now we have access to better equipment on a large scale.

"The students can learn on the simulators, and we can also bring a car in to work on the actual vehicle."

Guests at the opening of the lab also included representatives from local vehicle businesses, members of the college's motor vehicle advisory committee, teachers and governors.

The lab has an animated electronics tutorial using simulations, graphics and animations to illustrate how car-related technology works, and simulator panels to recreate real-world problems that would affect a car.

There are also internet-based training systems to link the college with local employers.