STUDENTS from a Widnes college have transformed a new office inside an iconic building in Runcorn.

Painting and decorating students at Riverside College gained practical experience by decorating a new office for MP Mike Amesbury within Runcorn’s Old Police Station.

Mr Amesbury’s team is moving to Runcorn Old Town after he was selected as Labour candidate for the new Runcorn and Helsby seat at the next election, following boundary changes.

He said: “They’ve done a fabulous job, with a lot of care and attention to detail.”

“I hope it was a useful exercise in terms of gaining real world experience.”

Lecturers John Rowland and Adam Johnson, who organise an external project every year, helped around 50 students benefit from the experience on the project across several days.

Runcorn and Widnes World:

They said: “It’s a big opportunity for the students to gain real life experience.

“And it helps charities, businesses, and, in this case, an MP’s office, because budgets are often tight.”

One of the students who took part, Summer, 16, from Halewood, said she enjoyed the ‘calm’ and ‘therapeutic’ atmosphere when completing the decorating task.

She said of the course: “It’s enjoyable and it’s step by step.

“They help you perfect one thing before you start another.”

The paint used for the project was donated free of change by Brewers, the UK’s largest independent supplier of decorating materials, with centres all over the country.

Steve Traynor, area development manager for Brewers, said: “Supporting projects like this is about nurturing the next generation of decorators.

“That’s why we try to build up relationships with local colleges, whether helping with award ceremonies or donating paint.”