The learning warehouse in Leighton celebrated its new name on Thursday along with Dunstable College and the Houghton Regis campuses.

All three now come under the banner of Central Bedfordshire College and students were in town celebrating the launch by collecting money for Keech Hospice Care and raising awareness of the courses on offer at the Leighton Campus.

As part of the fun, students chose flamboyant wigs and Central Beds College t-shirts to acknowledge the new era in college education in Leighton.

The main event was held at the Dunstable Campus with Heart Radio's Babs and Adam setting the party mood.

Two student bands, Inacore and Debasser , warmed up the crowd for headline act Exit Avenue.

VIP guests including the Mayors of Dunstable and Houghton Regis, representatives from the University of Bedfordshire and local schools attended the Principal's reception in the college bistro, catered for by Hospitality And Catering students and hosted by Cabin Crew students.

The Principal, Chris Vesey, cut a special Central Bedfordshire College Cake made by Sugarcraft tutor, Denise Connor, to commemorate the event.

A spokesman for the college said: "Students were heavily involved in the whole launch event and many were key to its success. Media students in particular played an important part, being responsible for setting up, sound engineering for the bands, filming and photographing the whole event.

"Students and staff from the Health And Social Care Department were fantastic in collecting money throughout the day in aid of Keech Hospice Care and the Pathways department made Central Beds branded cupcakes and flower arrangements."