These colleges had originally been unsuccessful in their applications to share the oversubscribed £100m Enhanced Renewal Grant, although they, like the 46 successful candidates, had exceeded the Agency's quality threshold. In total, 129 applications were made for the grant, totalling more than £200m.

Russell said in December that additional colleges would be considered for the grant if more funds became available, and it has since been able to re-prioritise budgets to fund the 19 projects amounting to around £29m.

"We are delighted that we can provide Enhanced Renewal Grant allocations to an additional 19 colleges," he said.

"These grants are part of our continuing support and commitment to colleges and the modernisation of the FE estate. This investment reflects the crucial role that further education colleges have to play in providing skills to young people, adults and businesses, providing regeneration to local communities and the economy."

The additional 19 colleges are:

• Abingdon and Witney College

• Berkshire College of Agriculture

• Bury College

• City College Plymouth

• Dudley College

• Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education

• Henley College Coventry

• Knowsley Community College

• Lancaster and Morecambe College

• Leek College of Further Education & School of Art

• Leicester College

• North Hertfordshire College

• Oxford and Cherwell Valley College

• Plumpton College

• South Devon College

• Stafford College

• Truro and Penwith College

• Westminster Kingsway College

• Wiltshire College