WHILE the fight continues to keep Herefordshire College of Art and Design as a standalone entity, its higher education faculty has expanded and taken over the recently-vacated Bulmers site on Whitecross Road.

The college added six foundation courses to its repertoire of three in September, some of which replaced HND courses, and students wishing to stay in the county to complete their degree now have a greater choice of subject than ever before.

At the Whitecross site there are new workshop areas, a lecture room, 'crit' room and study areas for students on the Contemporary Applied Arts, Illustration and Design Crafts courses.

A shuttle bus runs several times a day so that students can use the research libraries and specialist workshops at the main Folly Lane site.

Tutor on the contemporary applied arts course Clive Hickinbottom described the new building as a "creative environment in its infancy".

"Local students are taking the opportunity of obtaining a degree qualification through a course being offered in a part-time mode," he said.

Some are choosing to top up their foundation qualification to a degree in full-time mode.

It is this flexibility which appeals to mature students returning to education, who may still have family commitments.

Herefordshire College of Art and Design is one of only four specialist art colleges remaining in the UK, and many of its students have chosen it for its creative environment.

It is the only provider of higher education in the county.

In addition to its established blacksmithing, design crafts and illustration BA courses, the college now offers graphic design, photography, performing arts, contemporary applied arts and fine and applied arts, spatial design and digital media foundation courses.

The performing arts students remain at Churchill House.