ST Mary's College in Blackburn has been recognised as one of the best learning centres in the country and awarded the prestigious Beacon Status.

Only the best-performing colleges in the country qualify for Beacon Status and they have to demonstrate good performance in education and training.

Application is by invitation from the Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education only.

The status is another fillip for the Shear Brow college, branded outstanding and excellent last year in an inspection report from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).

Its leadership and management, support for students, visual and performing arts, media, law, English and modern foreign languages were received particular praise. Principal Kevin McMahon said: "It is refreshing for the emphasis to be put on the amount of good practice in education, rather than problems, and the college has been instrumental in the sharing of effective work for several years."

The college's award comes only two months after council inspectors gave its plans for a £5.3million makeover the green light. Refurbishment involves a1,200 square metre science block, a 1,200 square metre performing arts centre, complete remodelling of the front of the college with a piazza-style frontage, and a new car park to include eight bus lay-bys.

Refurbishment will also be carried out to existing parts of the college interior and is due to be completed by September, 2007.