THE next stage in turning Hereford's Royal National College for the Blind into a 21st century campus looks set to commence in September.

An £800,000 refurbishment of one of the four accommodation blocks is planned, with designers aiming to provide improved living standards for up to 40 students.

"The blocks were built when the college was a teacher training centre in the 1960s and times have changed," explained college estates manager Mike Burge.

"Students now have computers, printers, TVs and so on and the rooms just are not big enough."

The new scheme will see larger rooms, en-suite bathrooms and improved social areas.

While the work is being carried out, Mr Burge hopes to house the students in mobile home-style accommodation on the Venns Lane campus.

A planning application has been submitted for the four temporary buildings and will be discussed by council officers soon.

"During the previous refurbishment we rented out houses in Hereford for the students but they were missing out on the social scene," added Mr Burge.

"With these temporary blocks they will be right in the middle of campus until the work is finished in June 2001."