The acting principal of Wiltshire College has sprinkled salt on the roof of the new Chippenham campus building to bring it good luck.

A topping out ceremony was held on Tuesday to mark the structural completion of the £21 million build, which involves more than 50 tonnes of steel and 200,000 bricks.

Contractor Willmott Dixon Construction this week reached the highest point of the new building, providing an opportunity to toast its success.

The college followed a tradition of sprinkling wine, oil, corn and salt as the last beam or brick is put in place to ensure no evil spirits are trapped in the building.

Acting principal Amanda Burnside led the ceremony, pouring a vial of the four additives into the final concrete mix on the top part of the roof. She said: “The new campus is of huge benefit to all students using the Chippenham campus from 2015 and beyond. It is inspiring for staff and students alike.”

MP Duncan Hames said at the ceremony: “I am delighted to see the progress that’s been made since we cut the turf here in July.

“After the disappointment of earlier bids, young people in and around Chippenham need be in no doubt that there will be a first-class, modern learning environment here next year.”

The building will be in use from autumn 2015. Construction, engineering and motor vehicle students will be the first to be taught in it from September.

Nick Boles, the Minister of State for Skills and Equalities, was due to visit the new site today along with Michelle Donelan, the Conservative Prospective MP for Chippenham.