A £23 million student accommodation block in Colchester has been completed, with 80 per cent of the rooms occupied.

Host Student Housing has completed its 252 room development in Magdalen Street, at the site of the town's former bus depot.

The three-storey development features communal facilities including study areas and a common room as well as 200mbs per second internet speed.

Development work was complete in advance of the new university term despite challenge circumstances caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Host's Colchester development is one of three completed this autumn across the UK, providing 900 student beds in total.

John Nesbitt, managing director at Host Student Housing, said: "Delivering new, modern and, most importantly, safe accommodation for students has been our priority in 2020.

"I’m very proud that our team has completed these developments on time despite the significant obstacles presented by the pandemic and that we are ready to provide more students a safe, friendly and high-quality environment in which to start their studies.”