A MULTI-MILLION pound training centre has officially opened - a year after it was supposed to start training local people for construction jobs.

The £7.24 million facility in Cathall Road, Leytonstone, which it is hoped will train 4,000 people over the next four years as part of the Olympic legacy, was orginally due to open at the end of 2009.

But doubts over a £6 million grant from the Learning & Skills Council saw saw the deadline slip. The centre is now offering more than 100 apprenticeships a year in construction skills.

Council leader Cllr Chris Robbins said: “This is a fantastic, world-class training facility for local residents and people from across east London which will play a vital role in helping us benefit from the legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Facilities such as this improve the education and training of our residents and improve their chance of finding employment now and in the future.”