THE fight to keep University status for Warrington's Collegiate Institute went to the highest level this week when a delegation from the town travelled to London to put their case to the Government.

And the quality of the Collegiate's work was acknowledged by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Lifelong Learning, George Mudie MP, who gave the group cause to think the title could be saved.

The Collegiate's prestigious university status has been put at risk by a new Government ruling designed to crack down on other colleges using the title without permission.

But bosses at the Collegiate, thanks to connections with Manchester University, believe they have the right to retain the word in their title.

The Collegiate's Principal, Hilary Tucker, said: "I thought it went very well. There seemed to be a willingness on the part of the minister and his officials to work with us to see if we could find a way forward.

"What they weren't in a position to do was guarantee anything. The legislation has been passed, and we have to work with it to find a way forward.

"We are going to be involved now in detailed discussions to see if we can overcome this difficulty. I felt quite heartened by the meeting."

The delegation of Warrington bigwigs included ex-Warrington MP and Collegiate student Mike Hall, Warrington MPs Helen Southworth and Helen Jones, Council Leader John Gartside, Council Chief Executive Steven Broomhead, and the Collegiate's Chairman of Governors, Colin Daniels.

Clr Gartside commented: "University College's title is embedded in the town, and employers recognise this."

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