A COLLEGE which was swamped with applications has now created up to 250 extra full-time places to help meet student demand.

They are up for grabs at Newcastle College and span a variety of A-level and vocational courses. Most students will be 16 to 18-year-olds.

It comes after the college received 900 more applications than last year and had to introduce a waiting list.

But principal Karen Dobson said they didn't know how many would take up their offers until GCSE results day.

Areas with extra places include art and design, construction, childcare, health and social care, music technology, sport, hair and beauty, and public services.

Ms Dobson said: "It includes where we've capacity to have slightly bigger groups."

Newcastle College is funding the extra places itself.

The places are on top of another 200 'growth' places it has already been funded for this year. It receives £14 million to educate more than 3,000 students in the 16 to 18 age group.

An event at the college on Saturday, between 10am gives more details on the places.

See today's 12-page Education supplement only in The Sentinel today