Ambitious plans for a new 'media factory' at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) have been welcomed by Coronation Street's Kelly Crabtree.

Preston actress, Tupele Dorgu, who plays the knicker factory worker in the popular soap, said a new £15.3million new media and performing arts centre is exactly what the city needs and will put the city on the map.

The new centre, which could be used by community groups, new media entrepreneurs and local businesses, will include a theatre, digital television studio, film and photographic studio, video editing rooms, audio recording studios, sounds booths, music practice studios and a theatre, film and dance studio. "I wish there was something around like this when I was trying to get into the industry," said Tupele, 28, who grew up in Fulwood but now lives in Manchester.

"I had to really scout around to find out what I had to do and it would have been better if I had somewhere like this."

The new building, which will be situated behind the Computer and Technology Building, Fylde Road, Preston, will also include a new £4.5million Centre for Employability through the Humanities which has been put together to provide students with a real taste of working in theatre, radio or publishing.

An Incubator Unit will also feature to give technical and mentoring support for new graduate businesses. Tupele, who attended Our Lady's RC High School, St Anthony's Drive, Fulwood, said: "It's about time more people knew where Preston is and this project is a ideal way to do that. I'll definitely support it any way I can."

Professor Patrick McGhee, pro vice chancellor at UCLan, said: "It is clear this will be a unique regional resource and a flagship development for teaching, research and business excellence."

If granted planning permission, work has been earmarked for completion in July 2007.