New landmark for Preston

One of Preston's most recognisable buildings is to be replaced by a state-of-the-art new build for the city's university.

The Fylde Building on the Adelphi roundabout in the city centre is one of a number that Malcolm McVicar, vice-chancellor of the University of Central Lancashire, wants to see demolished to make way for new university buildings.

Dr McVicar said: "We want more landmark buildings. The Fylde building is well past its sell-by date and we want to replace it with a big statement building, something which says 'this is our university'.

"I want to see more of our older buildings coming down and new ones with real architectural merit going up in their place. We are talking real icons."

The university has already undergone a massive expansion project which has seen millions being invested in extra buildings such as its £15m Media Factory which opened last month, a £6m investment in a computer and technology building, and a home for the new School of Dentistry, in Adelphi Street.

While the initial expansion project has now come to an end, the university is now looking at improving or replacing existing properties over the next five years.