STAFF at Nelson and Colne College are lobbying a Board meeting tonight (Thursday) to press for a rethink on planned job cuts.

They want the people who now hold the fate of the college in their hands to look at alternative options to save cash instead of cutting back on teachers.

Most of the staff involved are members of the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education union. A union spokesman said: "The board had asked the college management to look at ways of saving money.

"The only package presented to them was to cut jobs. We say look at other options."

The shock announcement of 47 redundancies led to a public outcry and questions about the college's ability to teach A-levels at its current high standard.

Teachers have now written to the parents and guardians of students at college to invite them to a public meeting next Friday.

College Principal Kath Belton and the other 14 members of the board are on the invitation list.

It follows on the heels of information evenings due to be held at college for high school pupils taking GCSEs this summer.

Some have already said they are considering whether to withdraw their enrolments for A-level courses due to begin in September.

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