STAFF and students at Kidderminster College are hoping for a bright future after hearing that acting principal Andrew Miller has been given the post permanently.

Senior officials said Mr Miller was appointed "in the face of very stiff competition" after guiding the college through one of the most turbulent spells in its history.

He steered the college through an improved Further Education Funding Council re-inspection last year after its management, governance and business department had been slammed by the original report in 1998.

Mr Miller, 42, steps up from acting principal, a role he has held for several months since the ill health and retirement of Anthony Batchelor.

Mr Batchelor, a former Wyre Forest District Council chairman, was a lecturer at the college before taking over as principal and chairman in February 1998.

Mr Miller, a graduate in economics and law at Oxford Brookes University, said: "I am very excited and fortunate to be taking on this post at a time of great change for the college.

"With a new senior management team, new board of governors and the possibility of a new building and site for the college, the future looks very bright."

Mr Miller has been deputy principal for two years, and also served at Evesham, Swindon and Newbury colleges after completing a postgraduate certificate in education at Bristol University.

He is hoping to capitalise on the new optimism created by the FEFC re-inspection, and said a "whole new look" is planned for the college.

It includes a new reception and student services area and new courses on the way.

Chairman of the college's board of governors Michael Allman said: "Andrew Miller has done a remarkable job after taking over as acting principal in difficult circumstances.

"He has done a sterling job in preparing the college for its next chapter."

Mr Miller lives in Gloucestershire with his wife and two sons.