A SPECIAL ceremony to mark a significant milestone in work on the new �18.5 million Lowestoft Sixth Form College has been held today (Friday).

As the new college prepares to open in September, construction company Morgan Sindall held a topping out ceremony today to showcase completion of the building's main reinforced concrete frame.

College principal, Yolanda Botham, and David Bye, chair of Lowestoft Sixth Form College Corporation, joined Morgan Sindall staff as the last pour of concrete was placed on the roof.

Morgan Sindall, which has local offices in Ipswich, is creating a modern learning space for 950 sixth form students in Lowestoft.

'Work is progressing well and we're pleased to mark the latest milestone in the construction of the new Lowestoft Sixth Form College,' said Derek Foster, contracts manager for Morgan Sindall, the main contractor for the works.

'The concrete frame is now complete and the fit out has commenced with internal walls being built and services being installed.'

Yolanda Botham, principal at Lowestoft Sixth Form College, said: 'The new college is rapidly taking shape and we're all very excited to see the creation of this outstanding space for learning.'

The 8,000sq m energy-efficient building will benefit from a number of sustainable topographies including high levels of insulation, rainwater harvesting and photovoltaic technology to convert sunlight to energy.

Morgan Sindall is also installing rainscreen panels to the facade, curtain walling and unique pod structures, which provide break-out study areas, and are suspended from the central atrium.