Jobs minister and Oxford MP Andrew Smith tried his hand at textile design after opening a showpiece arts building.

He sampled the facilities for budding designers and artists in the futuristic centre at Oxford College of Further Education.

During the ceremony Mr Smith told an invited audience of dignitaries and students how important the arts were for the country's economic and cultural future.

The £1.4m building, which was designed by Oxford architects, will be a base for a range of courses in the creative arts.

Official opening celebrations brought together many talents with a performance by A-level dance students wearing costumes designed and made by budding fashion designers as well as creative make up and hair styled by young beauticians and stylists.

The refreshments and food were provided by catering students while the entire event was captured on film by a roving team of media studies students.

After he formal ceremony school art teachers and their pupils from all over the county were invited to tour the building and an exhibition.

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