A NEW education campus costing £40million is to be built at Kilbirnie.

Hub South West Scotland has appointed Kier Construc-tion to deliver the North Ayrshire Council project.

The campus will result in Garnock Academy and Glengarnock Primary merging and being moved to a new building in Glengarnock.

It will cater for 1200 secondary and 300 primary pupils in a complex which will have community facilities including a 25m swimming pool and fitness suite. Work is due to be finished in 2016.

Brian McQuade, managing director of Kier Construction's Scotland and north-east England business, said: "We are delighted to have been appointed to construct this key educational and community facility for North Ayrshire Council and the Garnock Valley.

"Now planning permission has been granted, the dream of a state-of-the-art campus, which will provide first-class facilities for everyone who lives and works in the area is one step closer to reality.

"We will be working closely with North Ayrshire Council and the Garnock Valley communities to construct a campus that will inspire future generations.

"This is a significant investment into the local economy and we look forward to working to provide additional employment opportunities, including apprenticeships, for locally based suppliers and subcontractors."

Hub South West Scotland general manager Michael McBrearty said: "Hub South West is a public private partnership which enables the cost efficient design and construction of community facilities.

"Garnock Academy will be a flagship project generating growth, maximising local investment and creating local opportunities for training, learning and further education.

"We selected Kier Construction as they are committed to delivering local economic growth and regeneration opportunities."

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk