FORTH VALLEY COLLEGE unveiled its brand new campus last week, ushering in a wider range of opportunity for students in the local area.

Falkirk's £78million site opened its doors to students for the first time last Monday, January 13.

The new campus will serve as FVC's headquarters and completes the college's ambitious £128m estates programme which saw the Alloa Campus (£21m) open in 2011 and the £29m Stirling Campus open a year later.

The Scottish Government's investment makes the campus one of the largest publicly-funded building projects in Scotland.

Gary Priestly, a 35-year-old student from Alloa, is in the second year of a Fitness, Health and Exercise HND and is already looking forward to making the most of the resources.

He said: "It looks great and I am very excited to be studying in the gym with all the new equipment.

"I think it will entice more folk to come in and give the place a try."

The unique state-of-the-art facilities include world class laboratories, a process training rig, transmission training centre, distillation plant, virtual control room and a biotechnology centre.

There is also a sports centre and front of house training salons for hairdressing and beauty.

Richard Lochhead, further education minister, added: "Forth Valley College's new Falkirk campus is a first-class facility which offers students access to a wide variety of state-of-the-art classrooms and facilities tailored to specific subjects, allowing a progressive approach to learning and teaching."

That progressive approach to learning and teaching in the campus is enhanced by cutting edge classrooms, flexible spaces across the campus and highly advanced technology throughout. Other facilities include a first-class learning resource centre, food outlets, conferencing and sports facilities.

Dr Ken Thomson, Forth Valley College principal, added: "Seeing our students walk through the doors of our new Falkirk Campus was an exhilarating and proud experience.

"Our new HQ will enhance further education for the people of Falkirk and beyond for years to come."