CITY bosses have signed a ground-breaking deal to bring a pioneering education centre to Peterborough.

Cranfield University and Peterborough City Council signed the contract on Friday to develop education and research in renewable energy and bio-fuels.

The partnership includes a £60,000 donation from Peterborough Renewable Energy Ltd (PREL) and will involve the appointment of a Professor of Renewable Energy to create a Centre for Renewable Energy and Bio-Fuels to be built as part of the South Bank redevelopment in Peterborough.

The centre will run postgraduate degree programmes, short courses and research projects as well as support city employers working to develop renewable energy, bio-fuels and environmental innovation.

Cllr John Holdich, the council’s cabinet member for education and university, said: “This partnership is a real coup as it will put the city at the forefront of innovation in environmental technology.”