Julie was joined by the Principal of Sunderland College, Anne Isherwood, and the leader of Sunderland City Council, Cllr Paul Watson, for the official turf-cutting ceremony in Sunderland city centre as work began on the new £29million campus.

After the ceremony, Julie said: “This project will play a crucial role in the ongoing regeneration of Sunderland’s city centre and will help to boost the local economy by welcoming thousands of students into the heart of Sunderland.

“It is extremely important that our young people to receive the very best education through excellent teaching provision and first-class facilities and I am very pleased to see that Sunderland College is investing in its students and helping them to shape their future in a positive way.”