A college has changed its name today, and to celebrate its staff and students are attempting to create the world's largest '£' sign.

From today North West Kent College will be known as North Kent College to reflect its wider catchment area and to differentiate it from other Kent further education colleges.

To mark the occasion, students and staff will attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the world's largest currency symbol made up of people. The current record stands at 351.

The '£' symbol was chosen by the college to promote the starting salaries of its graduates, their apprentices who earn as they learn, the lower cost of tuition fees compared to universities, and its investment in new facilities.

The college has also rebranded itself with a new logo and launched a mobile-enabled website.

Principal David Gleed said: "We’ve invested £90 million in new facilities at our Dartford and Gravesend Campuses and we felt it was time to reflect the high industry-standard learning accommodation we now have, with a new modern brand and change the name to reflect our wide catchment area across the whole of the North Kent and South East London Thames corridor.

"We are anticipating that the number of young people in our catchment area will increase further as Ebbsfleet Garden City grows and when London Paramount break ground mid-way between our two campuses.

"It’s important to recognise therefore that North Kent will become a significant location in the region and that we are the key FE College to cater for the educational needs of this growing community.

"We’re really proud of our recent Ofsted report and with our students achieving fantastic academic successes and progression over the last few years, the timing is right for us to celebrate our impact with a new name and brand."

Sean McCormick, executive director of facilities and resources, added: "As an education establishment teaching young people vocational skills to get them ready for the world of commerce and industry, it is vital that we develop new teaching and learning technology that is ahead of the game.

"We endeavour to immerse our students in the latest IT, increasing their chances of success and progression to a career or University. The new website is indicative of this aim, being fresh and current, and enabling greater engagement across our communities."

The world record attempt will take place at 1pm today.