THE new �47 million pound Port Glasgow shared campus has been praised by the head of Scotland's biggest teaching union.

EIS president Susan Quinn was shown round the site by the council education convener Terry Loughran - and was mightily impressed.

When the campus opens it will be one of the biggest in the country, with Port Glasgow High, St Stephen's High and the new additional support needs school Craigmarloch all sharing some facilities.

EIS chief Mrs Quinn said: "As someone who works on a shared campus, I know first-hand of the many benefits that they can offer in bringing schools and communities together.

"It was genuinely a pleasure to visit the site of the new shared campus, which looks set to provide great facilities and a high-quality learning environment for the pupils of Port Glasgow for many years to come." As part of the site there will be shared teaching facilities which will include three blocks for art, science and technology, sports and drama and performing.

The schools will all retain their own entrances, and their own separate identity.

Councillor Loughran said: "With around six months to go before this fantastic facility is due to be completed there is real excitement growing in Port Glasgow.

"Not only will we have a campus to be proud of but the local community will also have a tremendous asset which I know will be used extensively.

"Since construction began back in October 2011 visitors have been hugely impressed with the extent and quality of the development and the imaginative design and attention to detail is now there for all to see."