APPLEMORE College has received government confirmation that its status as a specialist technology college has been renewed.

In 1994, Applemore was one of the first schools in the country to be named a specialist college. It is now entering its fourth phase of funding.

Staff plan to develop advanced IT projects like their "24-hour School" - a system developed in-house which allows secure access round the clock to the college network.

Applemore was recently presented with the prestigious Granada Award for Learning for its community links - which included computer sessions for Help the Aged, and working with young patients at Southampton General Hospital.

College principal Frank Callag-han said: "It is rewarding to know that we still can be innovative almost ten years down the line of being a specialist college."