PLANS by Halton College to create a Runcorn campus have hit another snag.

Just as the deal was about to be clinched to secure the vacant Vestric building, beside Asda, the college was gazumped.

They had hoped to turn the offices into classrooms and learning centres.

The college believed it was an ideal location, beside Halton Lea, with easy access to the busway.

"We were pipped at the post by a German company," said Caroline Smith, of Halton College.

"But we now have other plans in the pipeline."

The college is currently negotiating with the Manchester Ship Canal Company to take over an empty building, beside the canal.

"It would be smaller than the Vestric building but we are hoping to have half a dozen classrooms and a learning centre.

"It might not be up and running by September but we hope to have a Runcorn presence soon."

Ambitious plans by the college to build a £15 million new campus near Bridgewater House were scuppered, following a recent FEFC investigation.

Former principal Martin Jenkins and deputy principal Jenny Dolphin resigned after revelations of extravagant foreign trips on tax payers money.

The college had to repay more than £10 million to the Government.

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