THESE are the latest images of the striking £35 million university city centre campus planned for Newport.

A key element of the city's regeneration, it is hoped the campus will become a hothouse of creativity, innovation and entreprenurial activity.

The images were released at the same time as the University of Wales, Newport, announced the appointment of a building contractor.

HGB are set to start clearing the site on the banks of the River Usk.

Council leader Bob Bright said they were pleased work on the "exciting" development was due to begin.

"The city centre campus symbolises our ambition to ensure that Newport remains a fast-moving, dynamic, enterprising city with excellent opportunities for people and business."

John Burrows, chief executive of Newport Unlimited, described it as one of the key projects in transforming the centre and regenerating the whole city.

It will house the Newport Business School and some parts of the School of Art, Media and Design, both renowed in their fields.

Chris O'Malley, pro vice-chancellor (regional and international development), said the idea of working closely with business and the creative industry was a fundemental concept of the campus.

In the innovative Hothouse, designers, media specialists, business researchers and entrepreneurs will work together to create new commercial ideas to help drive entrepreneurship and creativity.

Professor Anne Carlisle, deputy vice-chancellor (adademic), added the Hothouse would stand out as a distinctive zone, suspended from the ceiling and connected by walkways.

"It will capitalise on the university's greatest asset - its people and ideas."

It is the first phase of a £50 million development for the university with partnership funding from the city council and Newport Unlimited.