Educational charity Edge Foundation has teamed up with the University of Essex and Colchester Institute to launch the UK's first working hotel run and staffed by students.

The Edge Hotel School aims to offer young people the opportunity to become future leaders of hospitality by working in a fully functioning hotel and learning from industry experts while gaining a degree level qualification.

The Edge Hotel School will be located at the Grade II-listed Wivenhoe House in Colchester, Essex and operate as a four-star facility.

The hotel is scheduled to open in Spring 2012 following a £10m redevelopment of the historic building.

The scheme will provide practical and vocational learning for students while working in a commercially sustainable hotel.

Sir Garry Hawkes, president of Edge Foundation, said: "This is one of the most exciting developments in hospitality education for well over a generation.

"To be able to operate a fully functioning hotel with real members of the public staying, as well as providing both quality practical and vocational learning for the next generation of hospitality students is a great move forward for the industry."

In 2008, Colchester Institute received the national 'College Restaurant of the Year' award and in 2009 secured accreditation for excellence by the National Skills Academy for Hospitality.