THE go-ahead football college based at Turf Moor has confirmed plans for its fourth halls of residence in Burnley.

Plans have been revealed to use a former children's home in Manchester Road to house students for the University College of Football Business (UCFB).

Planning agent Lucy Phelan, said: "The building is currently managed by Burnley Council due to management order. UCFB has just agreed to a 12-month lease."

Council bosses have spent just under £20,000 on the expansive property, including supplying and fitting floor coverings, materials and labour, ahead of the deal being signed.

The university college has just been granted planning permission by the borough council to erect advertising hoardings to promote the move into the building, which is at the corner of Piccadilly Road and overlooks the town's Manchester Road railway station.

Before the present deal, the house had been placed under multiple occupation, after consent was given to Dr Mohammad Bhatti, and had also been under consideration for conversion into a care home for children and adults.

Bosses at UCFB were also given permission to transform four floors of the former Burnley College accommodation at Calder House, in St James Street, last June, with 60 study bedrooms envisaged around communal kitchens, lounges and dining rooms.

Their first halls were established at the old Sparrow Hawk Hotel in Church Street, before extra space was secured opposite at the former Keirby Hotel, now known as the Crown Hotel.

Breakfast and evening meals are served for students at the Sparrow Hawk Halls and a laundry service is provided at The Crown.

An open day including a stadium tour is being planned at UCFB Burnley, which now offers nine undergraduate degrees and also has a sister campus at Wembley, for Wednesday, May 9.

Ex-Burnley FC chief executive Paul Fletcher, former government communications supremo and Burnley FC supporter Alastair Campbell and Nelson-born Mick Phelan, currently assistant manager at Hull City, sit on the university college's advisory board.