College bosses say the project is exceeding expectations and starting to take shape.

Hartlepool Sixth Form College, in Blakelock Road, is currently undergoing a £24m transformation of its existing building and classroom facilities.

The project includes a part demolition of the existing college buildings, construction of new college accommodation, refurbishment of retained buildings and the creation of a new car park.

There is also a new cafe and common room for the students to relax in.

Phase one, which will be open to students collecting their A-Level results in late August, will see a new state-of-the-art college building linked to the existing Brinkburn House, by a glazed atrium.

College bosses say the new building is an "iconic design" which will be of huge benefit to the students.

Principal Rick Wells said: "It is fantastic to see the new college taking shape.

"We wanted to provide students with a near university standard of accommodation and, if anything, reality has exceeded expectations.

"We have incorporated many of the suggestions made by our students for their social areas with a brand new cafeteria and common room."

Meanwhile, the second phase of construction work, which includes new laboratories for maths, science and childcare and a new county standard sports hall, is expected to be finished by the summer of 2010.

Brinkburn House is also being refurbished with extended student support services and a bigger library.

Mr Wells said: "The new classrooms including specialist arts, media and music studios will provide Hartlepool students with the opportunity to access high quality facilities as part of their education."

"Phase One, which represents 70-per-cent of the total new build, will be completed on time and ready for the students joining us in September with Phase Two, which consists of a new sports hall and laboratories, ready for September 2010."

Edinburgh-based Miller Construction is working on the site.