IT was only fitting that the most expensive educational building ever built in Bury should be opened by the country's number one in education.

The Rt. Hon. David Blunkett, Secretary of State for Education and Employment, performed the official naming ceremony of Bury College's £7.5 million Millennium Centre yesterday afternoon (Thursday March 8).

"We were delighted to welcome Mr Blunkett to celebrate the naming of the Millennium Centre," said college principal Dr Helen Gilchrist.

"The event was a wonderful opportunity to mark the achievement of all concerned in the provision of the new facilities for our students."

Mr Blunkett, who arrived with his guide dog Lucy, was running 45 minutes late due to a flight delay, but he delighted everyone with his good humour.

In his welcoming speech the chairman of Bury College Corporation, Mr Fred Bowen, said the new campus meets the learning needs of the community, especially 16 to 19 years old, in an environment which matched the high demands of the Government in promoting learning.

He went on to thank the Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, Coun Bill Johnson and his wife, Joyce, as well as Bury Council for its "invaluable support" for the college.

After Mr Blunkett was shown around the college's third floor information technology suite, Dr Gilchrist gave a speech in which she praised the building's state of the art laboratories and its "unashamedly modern" appearance which she said reflected the philosophy that learning should be an enjoyable experience as well as positive and purposeful.

"Bury College strives to achieve its mission of providing high quality teaching and learning based on the needs of the individual in order to meet individual potential and to assist in the economic and social well-being of this country." She said many of the students will be the key people in shaping the prosperity not just of Bury, but the country.

Dr Gilchrist told Mr Blunkett: "Our aim is to position Bury College to meet your Government's agenda and to play a major role in helping Bury become a truly learning town."

Mr Blunkett, who is himself a trained further education teacher, as well as receiving his own education in an FE college, said he believed the college would enable people to fulfil their potential.

He added: "These specialist facilities are an excellent example of how further education colleges can offer specialised skills and learning opportunities to local communities. Everybody should be entitled to an excellent education and the opportunity to develop their skills. That is the way to secure justice and prosperity for all."

Among the dignitaries present were the boroughs two MPs David Chaytor and Ivan Lewis, both of whom gave speeches, and Mr Anthony Goldstone who is chairman of the board of the new Greater Manchester Learning and Skills Council which is responsible for funding post-16 education and training in the area.

The student response was given by 17-year-old A-level student Mark Gray who thanked Mr Blunkett for recognising the importance of the occasion.

He also acknowledged those National Diploma in Popular Music and Performing Arts students who provided the afternoon's musical entertainment.

As a memento of his visit Mr Blunkett was presented with a ceramic ornament, engraved in Braille, which was created by Jonathan Parker, a former art and design student at the college.