DEMOLITION work on Bolton Institute's famous Deane Tower will transform the town's skyline . . . but it will not start until the end of June to prevent students' exams being disrupted by noise and dust.

The eight-storey tower, which was built in the 1960s, is to be reduced to three-and-a-half storeys. The work is part of Bolton Institute's multi-million pound, five-year facelift programme. The next stage gets under way this month when all the furniture and fittings are stripped from tower.

Builders will also have to take out all the asbestos.

The multi-million transformation of the institute started last autumn when an innovation zone and student centre opened.

New units were built in front of the textile centre in Eagle Mall to allow businesses easy access to technical and management advice on advanced materials, making the town a leader in the modern textile industry.

All the demolition work on the tower will be completed by April next year.

The redesigned building will house an open-plan design studio accommodating computer design, digital imaging, textile design and website design. It will also have an overhead projector that can light-up the campus with coloured patterns at night.

Further work will include a refurbished lecture theatre and new executive suite.

Institute bosses hope the major revamp will help them in their efforts to win university status.