AN eyesore college building close to Worcester Cathedral is set to undergo a £1.8m revamp.

Planning permission has been granted for a glass panelled first floor extension of Worcester College of Technology's workshop in Deansway.

It forms the final part of the college's £6m expansion programme and will spell the end of the brick building that dominates the street.

"The idea was to modify that brick wall, which we will admit is an eyesore, to create vertical windows from the ground to the extension.

" I think it will be quite attractive," said assistant principal, Carl Flint. "We have to develop everything sensitively because we are surrounded by churches and are always mindful of them.

"We are outward-looking and aware of what people think about the tech and do our level best to improve within our financial constraints."

About 150 students will be able to work in the extension, learning crafts such painting and decorating and carpentry. Mr Flint hopes work will begin in December and end by August 2006.

The college's expansion has seen improvements made to its St Wulstan's building, the All Saints' library and study areas and in various parts of its Barbourne campus.