Crystal Palace is getting a new multi-million pound school that teaches people how to work with animals.

Capel Manor College recently received a £4.9 million grant from London’s Economic Action Partnership that will see it move from its current location in Crystal Palace Park to a brand new "state-of-the-art" education facility.

The college's principal, Malcolm Goodwin, is looking forward to realising the school's potential.

“Crystal Palace Park is steeped in history and horticulture and landscaping were fundamentally important to the heydays of the park," he said.

"This is our opportunity to help return the park to its full glory, whilst training and educating the next generation of landscape and gardening experts along with tree surgeons and animal specialists.

"It will be an enormous boost for students and bring real benefits to the local community in Crystal Palace and south east London.”

As part of the grant, Crystal Palace Park Farm, which is managed by the college, will benefit from a complete refurbishment, creating new classroom space and enclosures for the animals.

Mr Goodwin is looking forward to seeing what the school can deliver.

"Capel offers the largest and best range of land based provision in London and these new high quality facilities and classrooms will enable students to equip themselves with the skills and experience they need to get rewarding jobs working with animals, the environment and green space anywhere in the world," he said.

"We are also creating a brand new farm and zoological collections and that, together with the horticulture courses, will enable students to get real practical experience working in Crystal Palace Park.

"All the rich echoes of the past can be brought to life again using the energy and creative talents of students in our high tech world."