BORIS Johnson has backed Burnley College’s expansion.

The Prime Minister welcomed the plans when the town’s MP asked him to visit and see the institution for himself.

In June the college unveiled proposals for a new teaching block and sports centre as part of a a major expansion of courses.

Burnley MP Antony Higginbotham told Mr Johnson at Commons Question Time: “Burnley College was recently announced as the highest achieving college in the country, recognising its dedicated students, quality teaching staff and fantastic facilities, which include a centre for advanced engineering.

“As a result, the college has experienced strong year-on-year growth in admissions, but in order to ensure that our young people continue to have the skills they need for the future, it is vital that our further education colleges are invested in and keep up to date."

Mr Johnson replied: “You are absolutely right to champion Burnley College and the cutting-edge education in the technologies of the future that this government supports."