Music apprentices at Barnsley College gave up their holiday over the Christmas period to help their lecturer and university peers create a sound recording studio from scratch.

Lecturer Tim Speight, who has worked with the likes of Simon Cowell, Westlife and McFly in the past, led the team of learners to create a space equivalent to the quality of the industry top dogs.

The modification at University Campus Barnsley also doubled up as work experience for the students as they learned the skills needed refit an entire studio.

Mr Speight said this was a project he and the learners could “really get our teeth stuck into”.

“We wanted to make a real statement within the music department and create a flagship room that could be used as a fully functioning studio as well as a creative learning environment for lectures,” he added.

To go with the latest industry standard equipment, the studio now includes a fully soundproofed vocal booth and features a TV, LEDs and spots added for creative effect.

Pic: Lecturer Tim Speight (front) with, from left: technical apprentice James Skiffington, aged 19, music tutor Thomas Flanagan, third year music production and sound recording learners Lee Howard, 29, and Daniel Kuptel, 28, music tutor Tim Canfer, third year music production and sound recording learner Matt Clarkson, 30, and music course Leader Susan Donnelly