A CASH boost for Tavistock College is being celebrated this week, as news of a £2-million injection to remodel the school was announced by Devon County Council.

The college will be asked to produce a comprehensive development plan this year with a view to beginning the redevelopment work next year.

John Simes, college principal, said the news was 'very exciting'.

'It really puts the college into the 21st century. It will mean a complete overhaul of our facilities and with our specialist college status we are going to have exceptional facilities in languages, mathematics and humanities.

'This will deal with the fact that the college is over-subscribed in all year groups by parental choice.'

Mr Simes said around 18 temporary classrooms on the campus will be replaced with new permanent buildings.

Other plans include an expanded refectory and more covered accommodation.

'It will be terrific,' Mr Simes said. 'It will help us raise our achievements. There will be much better site security and a very pleasant environment for our students.'

There are 1,864 students at Tavistock College, making it one of the largest schools in the country.

West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett said: 'It's good news — I am absolutely delighted.'

Mr Burnett said he had been involved in a series of meetings with the college, councillors and Government ministers to press the case for investment at Tavistock College.

'It has been a long campaign and I must put on record my gratitude to the Minister of State Estelle Morris who has been extremely sympathetic and positive for us.

'We have had the best per capita statement of any part of the country and I'm delighted at the outcome of our campaign. I look forward to seeing the end of the so-called temporary buildings which have been with us far too long.'

Tavistock's county council representative Roy Cook said: 'Naturally I am absolutely delighted.

'I have always backed the college — this investment is absolutely essential — it's another step forward to creating John Simes' dream of creating a learning town.'

The investment in the college is part of a record £80-million being spent by the county council in schools throughout Devon during the next three years.

Kate Palmer, the county's executive chairman for lifelong learning, said the investment was 'really exciting'.

'We have already made considerable headway towards tackling the backlog of neglect which has built up over the years, but this massive spending boost will enable us to make even more progress.'

Tony Smith, director of education, arts and libraries, said: 'Our success in securing this record level of investment into Devon's schools and libraries and the local economy cannot be underestimated.

'I would like to pay tribute to the work of schools and colleagues in making sure that we have good information to support our bids for additional funding,' he said.