THURROCK'S South Essex College campus was officially launched last Friday - and the college's boss can not wait for a new era to begin.

The £45million new base, which was seven years in the making, will start welcoming 1,000-plus students from September.

Angela O'Donoghue, the college's principal and chief executive and her deputy Anthony McGarel received the symbolic key from Steve Arthrell, the project director for the campus construction firm Skanska.

Mrs O'Donoghue spoke with said it was a momentous day for the borough and the college.