A MULTI-MILLION pound state-of-the-art centre to drive forward the engineering behind high performance cars is planned for Bolton.

The University of Bolton has revealed ambitious plans to open a purpose built National Centre for Motorsport and Engineering with a open forecourt displaying "super cars" on Deane Road — with large areas of glazing to showcase the motorsport activities taking place within the building.

The development is part of major plans to transform land off Deane Road with Bolton Sixth Form College applying — as part of the same application — to build a new sports hall and a new 3G sports pitch with floodlighting.

A University of Bolton spokesman said: “The University of Bolton will invest £10 million into the new STEM centre where the National Centre for Motorsport and Engineering will be housed.

“The proposed new development will also include a sports hall and external sports pitch for use by students of the nearby Sixth Form College, and is an important venture between the University and the College with a single design vision to be developed for this important gateway site.

He added: “Students studying Advanced Performance Engineering will have access to the best and most contemporary equipment in a purpose built environment.

"This will further cement the University of Bolton as a leader in Advanced Performance Engineering, and make it a hugely desirable prospect to potential students.”

The plans for the new centre were unveiled just days after the University of Bolton's success at the Autosport Show at which it unveiled a new race car.

The university spokesman added: “The University is the only higher education institute that has a professional racing team, RLR Msport based on campus.

“This gives students hands on experience from theory to practice, from the classroom to the workshop and then working with the race team on the racetrack.

“In addition CAPE (Centre of Advanced Performance Engineering) is collaborating with Keating Supercars and Ginetta, and is the first owner of the new Ginetta-Nissan LMP3 which will race in the European Le Mans Series.”

The existing CAPE centre will be used by the arts department to create an exhibition space and studios for students.

Steve Wetton, principal of Bolton Sixth Form College said: “The Sixth Form College is working in partnership with the University of Bolton to develop the Mason Gardens site.

“The university will be building an engineering centre on the area adjacent to Deane Road, and the Sixth Form College will build a sports hall and all-weather pitch on the area towards Wellington Street.

“These facilities which will greatly enhance the Education Zone estate will benefit not only the College students, but also the children attending the new UTC (University Technical College) and university students.

"It is anticipated that work will begin in the early summer and will be completed by spring 2016."

The university spokesman added: “The sports facilities will allow vital access to college students close to their campus, no doubt increasing participation levels.

"The continued growth of the university will create jobs, in both the short and long term, and can only be a positive development for the town.”