NEW college Principal Matthew Burgess says student applications for the Forest of Dean campus are already up by 65 percent.

The new head of Gloucestershire College says years of perceived uncertainty which hit student numbers seem to be coming to an end.

And he said he is 100 percent committed to the plan to build a new college campus at Cinderford, which would boost confidence further.

Last week governors agreed to give the top job to Matthew when principal Greg Smith retires in August after 16 years in charge.

Currently vice-principal for strategy, resources and business development, the 45-year-old father of three was selected following a three-month national recruitment campaign.

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