TWO hundred balloons hit the skies to commemorate the completion of Herefordshire College of Technology’s (HCT) new £32million campus.

Hereford MP Paul Keetch was at the Folly Lane site to cut the ribbon and unveil a plaque marking the official opening.

The college was also celebrating its 60th anniversary and the chairman of Herefordshire Council, Councillor John Stone and the Mayor of Hereford, Sylvia Daniels, were also present to offer their congratulations.

As well as the balloons being launched, students studying a National Diploma in Music Technology at HCT also put on live performances to commemorate the day.

“This has been a great day for HCT,” said principal Ian Peake.

“We have enjoyed a wonderful time with our students, governors, staff and guests to celebrate 60 years of service to our community and to complete the renewal of our city campus, so we are ready for the next 60 years.”

The new campus includes a learning resources suite, a business centre, which local companies can use, a technology centre providing modern engineering and construction workshops, and a community studies centre with new training kitchens.

The college employed just six members of staff when it began life in 1949 as the Hereford College of Further Education. However, it now has just under 600 staff and welcomes more than 7,000 students a year at its Hereford and Holme Lacy campuses.