AYR College is set to receive a funding boost of £100,500 to help them meet the extra demand.

The Craigie based college will receive the money from the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council to help them fund the extra places caused by the recession.

The award is part of £28.1million of extra Government funds that colleges are to receive over the next two years. £7.7million is being allocated to 23 colleges across 14 local authority areas in Scotland, and is targeted at colleges that serve areas with the highest unemployment areas among 17 to 24-year-olds.

College principal Diane Rawlinson said: "We are delighted to receive these additional Government funds, which will help us meet increased demand for places, and allow us to offer more training opportunities, so that people are prepared with the skills and qualifications for employment when the labour market begins to upturn." For the full story see this week's paper, on sale now.