It will be used by thousands of students from across the Black Country and may help launch careers of the next generation of stars of stage and screen.

Work is forging ahead on a new £10 million performing arts centre at Wolverhampton University’s Walsall campus, as this picture shows.

Bosses say The Performance Hub, off Gorway Road, is progressing well — and has already sparked a rise in applications to study there.

Paul Davis, senior capital projects manager at contractor VINCI, said: “The copper cladding, glazing and roofing works are nearing completion ensuring that the building is substantially weather tight.

“The complex acoustic internal fit-out is progressing well, together with mechanical and electrical installations.”

The distinctive four-storey building will include dance studios, music rooms, theatres, offices and a library.

It will bring together actors, choreographers, designers, writers, researchers, dancers and musicians from across the region.

University bosses are already confident that with its glass frontage and big green lettering, The Performance Hub will be a welcome addition to the Walsall skyline.

John Pymm, dean of the school of sport, performing arts and leisure, said: “The building looks stunning and I’m sure we’re the envy of every university in the country in having a building like this.

“There’s been a surge in applications for next year and all of our students are really excited about The Performance Hub.”

The centre is being built on the site of a former teaching tower and halls of residence, which were demolished in 2007.

When finished in July this year, it will complete a £50 million transformation of the Walsall campus over the past eight years.