A TOWN college has received over £50k from a nearby firm in order to boost students' education.

Eastleigh based Alpha Laboratories has donated over £60,000 to Barton Peveril Sixth Form College.

The family run business provides equipment and support to UK and international scientists for diagnostics and laboratory needs.

Now the funding is set to provide the College and its students with new, 'state-of-the-art' equipment for its Science Centre.

It will also see new classroom resources and materials, plus extra tuition for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and a range of employability experiences to benefit their future planning and destinations.

Michelle Holland, Sales & Marketing Director at Alpha Laboratories, also commented on the grant: "In what has been a particularly challenging time for young people, Alpha Laboratories is delighted to be able to help support the students at Barton.

"The pandemic has highlighted how important the unsung science heroes working in research, with vaccines, and in the NHS (to name but a few) are. The team welcomes the opportunity to help shape the next generation and nurture UK scientific talent."

On top of the funding, students from the college have been invited to visit Alpha Laboratories on Parham Drive during the October half term in order to attend a series of presentations and workshops.

These sessions will be led by scientific professionals and include Introduction to Diagnostics and Using Laboratory Products; COVID-19 – Journey and Sample Transportation; Veterinary Medicine; and Mini-Pipetting Academy.

Barton Peveril’s Director of Science, Nathan Cheung said the funding has "already supported students immensely".

"They have also kindly given up their time to participate in our Employability Talking Heads programme, providing valuable insight and discussion about employability for our students.

"We certainly look forward to strengthening our links with this local company so that our students can benefit from their events going forwards."