STUDENTS at the area's newest campus can boast a world first – having their own moat.

The trench snakes round part of South Cheshire College's new £74 million building and will be used to collect rainwater.

That water will then be either recycled inside the building or used to maintain the college's sports fields.

It is one of many fascinating features at the Crewe-based college, which opened for the start of term today.

The building is essentially in four parts, with everything linked to a vast open-plan space called The Crescent.

This has a semi-circular glass frontage overlooking a copse and an amphitheatre. Its architecture was designed to fit round the trees.

Even some of the building's supporting internal pillars look like they were carved from tree trunks and bring the outside indoors.

Students can also stroll along The Crescent to visit facilities such as the training restaurant, gym, print shop, and general college shop.

And there's also a travel centre where visitors can book their holidays, and travel and tourism students can gain first-hand experience of the industry.

The travel agent looks right at home here as the light and airy college building resembles an airport terminal. Uncannily, the college even offers a course for aspiring airline cabin crew.

Jade Saint, from Crewe, is just starting A-levels in psychology, philosophy, English literature, and business. and is impressed with the new campus.

The 16-year-old said: "The Crescent is definitely different. Compared to the old building, everything looks a lot bigger and better."

As well as the sleek, curved main building, there are north, east and west wings.

One of these wings houses the A-level teaching rooms and science labs, a second focuses on art, dance and other creative subjects, and the third one is for hair and beauty.

There are also new facilities for construction and motor vehicle maintenance.

And on the top floor is a higher education centre, which has a breathtaking glazed central feature that students can peer through to see the other floors.

People can also get a prime view of each floor by taking one of the transparent-sided lifts.

The campus, built by BAM Construction, is bursting with ideas, surprising you at every turn. Pan round The Crescent and your eyes will see all sorts of shapes and unusual spaces.

Walk down one corridor and you'll find a learning lounge, with informal seating for group work.

Or glance out of a window from another corridor and you'll see a Mediterranean-style courtyard, complete with yellow, earthy red, and blue walls.

The college's library is also stunning, with ribs of coloured glass on its outer side. It overlooks another picturesque garden.

Other eye-catching features include a 300-seat theatre.

From outside, this round structure looks like a multi-storey car park, with different layers wrapped around it.

Many of the facilities will be open to the general public as well as the 11,000-plus students.

These include the beauty treatment rooms and hair salons, where people can book manicures, pedicures, and massages.

And with a steam room, monsoon shower, dry flotation tank, and spa, students' training facilities are of a professional standard.

The college's old tower block, off Dane Bank Avenue, is due to be demolished shortly.

Part of the old campus, which dates back to 1968, will then be sold off and the rest landscaped.

The new campus has been built alongside the old one, with funding from a variety of sources including the former Learning and Skills Council.