CONTRACTORS working on a multi-million pound construction project at Kendal College face a race against time to complete the development as students start arriving next week.

But college officials are convinced that they will reach the finishing line on schedule and all courses will go ahead as planned.

The Milnthorpe Road site has been a hive of activity in recent weeks as work on the 15-month development starts to reach a climax.

Marketing manager Paul Goodwin said a dry autumn last year had helped to get the new building work off to a good start, and added: “It’s all going pretty much to schedule.”

The £12.9 million project includes new buildings as well as a major facelift to the existing college, and promises to mark the start of a new era for the college.

Mr Goodwin said future prospects for the college looked very bright: “We had a good to outstanding report from OFSTED; we are in a good financial position and we are heading towards an 18 per cent increase in applications for full-time courses.”