COLLEGE bosses are going green by planting seeds on the roof of their new learning resource centre.

Plans for the new learning resource centre at Kingston Maurward College near Dorchester are literally coming to life after thousands of Sedum seeds were planted on the roof.

The £4.4million centre is due for completion in the late summer and low-rise development features a roof of natural vegetation designed to complement the heritage landscape and adjacent Grade I Listed buildings within the 750-acre campus.

College principal David Henley was joined by students Annina Jenkin and Emma Mead to help sow thousands of seeds on the roof of the building under the supervision of Paul McGregor, site manager for contractors Bluestone.

The tiny evergreen plants will now grow to completely cover the two major roofs of the new 1,548sq m centre to ensure it blends with the seasonal appearance of the surrounding landscape.

Once completed the centre will provide IT facilities, a comprehensive reference library, well-equipped high-tech laboratories, group study and individual consultancy rooms as well as administrative offices.

Peter Baggott, Bluestone's area director, said: "Roofs covered in natural vegetation have low management requirements and there are only minimal structural implications for the building.

"Although there is only a thin layer of soil, the plants will not require artificial irrigation and it will not take long for a self-sustaining plant community to become established on the roofs of the new learning resource centre."

Mr Henley said the roof planting exercise represents a significant stage in the development programme.

"Not only does it reiterate the care we've taken with this prestigious facility to respect our heritage surroundings, it also starts the countdown to the official opening of the centre in September - in time for the new academic year.

"Everyone connected with the college is really looking forward to taking advantage of facilities that will be the envy of many other centres of education - certainly, the new centre will consolidate our position as one of the country's leading countryside colleges."