THE University of Essex has announced £12million plans to turn a town centre office block into classrooms, offices and exhibition space.

The university's Southend campus will take over much of the former Prudential building, on the corner of the High Street and Elmer Approach, Southend, which was sold to developer Squarestone in March.

Squarestone will lease the eight-storey building, which currently houses Top Shop, JD Sports and Storm, to the institution.

Southend campus director Linda Jones said as part of the refurbishment plans, the top of the 50,000 sq ft tower would be a glass block, used for exhibitions, seminar rooms and drama performances.

Two floors of the tower could be used by South East Essex College, another two floors could be used by the East 15 Acting School, while a further two will be used for teaching.

It is believed the shops will stay in the building.

Mrs Jones said a definite time scale for the work had not yet been set.

She said: "When you think about the top of the building, it will be very nice. There will be 360-degree views of the town.

"We're talking to the architects carrying out the plans and we want to make this building a real work or art.

"We've employed designers to work on the lighting of the building and want to make it a iconic building in Southend.

"We want it to sit alongside the pier and the Kursaal. There will also be lots of community use in the building, with the exhibitions."

Councillor John Lamb, who is responsible for regeneration in Southend town centre, said he thought the plan was an excellent idea.

He said: "It is all part of what is being done to improve the town centre.

"It is excellent what the university is doing to make that part of Southend a real cultural hub and focal point."