Devon County Council (DCC) has confirmed plans to fund and build a new £5.6m outdoor education centre on the canal basin at Haven Banks, Exeter.

The facility will be run in partnership with Exeter College on a day-to-day basis and is set to replace the outdated existing activity centre located on the Quay. Work is due to start on the venue in the autumn, with the centre providing a hub for outdoor adventure activities for young people - such as kayaking, sailing, caving and windsurfing.

DCC leader John Hart said: "It is the biggest single sum ever to be allocated from the proceeds of the sale of Exeter Airport. "The new centre will provide 21st century facilities for a wide range of activities for both young people and adults in the growing sector of adventure pursuits."