Three Gloucestershire colleges are among more than 180 colleges nationally to receive a share of £200 million from the government for repairs and refurbishments of their buildings.

Hartpury College of Further Education will receive £511,181, while Gloucestershire College will receive £991,547 and South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS) will receive £1,134,567.

The funding will allow essential work to begin immediately, ensuring they continue to be great places to learn for their local communities.

The funding marks the latest step in the government's drive to overhaul further education and deliver the skilled workforce employers and the economy need.

Gavin Williamson, education secretary, said: "We want all students to continue to receive high-quality education and training, no matter where they grow up or what college they go to. Now more than ever, it is vital that colleges can support their students to gain the skills they need to progress and help the economy to recover and grow."

Russell Marchant, vice-chancellor of Hartpury University and principal of Hartpury College, said: "We have received an allocation and it will be spent on refurbishment to support the mixed delivery required in a Covid environment."

David Hughes, chief executive of TheAssociation of Colleges said: "Colleges will be pleased to see their individual allocations as they prepare to provide training, skills and education to over 2 million young people and adults next year.

"This capital resource, for bringing building and digital infrastructure up to date is important but they will need to move quickly to spend this money. The college condition survey confirms that there has been underinvestment in the college estate in recent years so it is good news that the Treasury has allocated money for a five year programme to put this right and to ensure that future students and apprentices learn and train in world-leading environments."