STUDENTS are celebrating after being told that Bolton Institute's Deane Road campus will get a modern new look.

Councillors on the planning and highways committee have given their tutors permission to knock down part of Deane Tower in a £17 million facelift.

The eight-storey building, which has stood on the site since the 1960s, is no longer suitable for teaching because the classrooms are too small.

Five floors will be demolished and a new fourth floor with a green roof will be added.

The lower floors will also be revamped to make them transparent and trendy lighting will be used to complete the modern look.

Cllr Nick Peel, the deputy chairman of the planning and highways committee, said: "This is quite an innovative idea. It is going to improve the street scene and in addition it will make that part of town a better for people to travel through.

"I'd say watch this space because it's going to be very good." Tutors hope the new look tower will reflect the institute's image as a contemporary learning centre.

It will contain a multi-purpose design centre that will link the arts, technology and local businesses.

The design centre will house a digital studio, a computer suite, a textile studio and a conference room.

Staff at the institute are planning a number of changes as part of their "masterplan" for the future.