NEWS that March is to become the site for a new college campus with a major sports centre has been welcomed by 81-year-old Walter Mitchell. Mr Mitchell retired to Cambridge many years ago but he is a former county youth officer and award winning county at

NEWS that March is to become the site for a new college campus with a major sports centre has been welcomed by 81-year-old Walter Mitchell.

Mr Mitchell retired to Cambridge many years ago but he is a former county youth officer and award winning county athlete.

"This is really terrific news for March," said Mr Mitchell, who hails from the town and was born in the former Station Road Post Office opposite St John's Church.

"When I used to train in March, at Estover, there were three of us, John Phillips, Tim Vawser and myself, and I reckon between us we held about half the county athletics titles."

Mr Mitchell recalls moving to South Dorset for a time after leaving the county youth service "mainly because they wouldn't give me the staff to run the service".

However, he returned in 1961 as county youth and community officers and Duke of Edinburgh Award organiser.

He retired in 1981 and still lives in Cambridge but says he remains in touch with March.

"I'm so looking forward to seeing the new College of West Anglia up and running - it will be fantastic," he said.