FULL-TIME students will no longer study in Stanley after a college moves two of its courses to Consett.

Derwentside College is moving its childcare course from the town's Louisa Centre to the former steelworks site at Berry Edge next month.

In September, the uniformed services course will move from Stanley Fire Station to the new development. It means all vocational courses will be run in Consett, while academic courses will be co-ordinated from the Lanchester Sixth-Form College.

It has just undergone a £1m refurbishment to give A-level students new facilities such as a library, computer suite and social area.

The new sixth form will open on April 4, meaning there is space for the Stanley-based courses at Berry Edge.

The building, which opened in April 2002, has just undergone a £500,000 investment to give pupils facilities including a fitness suite, a health spa, a sauna and steam room, as well as two restaurants.

Derwentside College will still provide courses at locations such as schools and community centres for adults in the Stanley area.

* A campaign is under way at Derwentside College to safeguard the jobs of seven lecturers and two support staff after financial problems emerged.

The University and College Lecturers' Union fears cuts to the curriculum and is in talks with senior management at the college, which is looking for people to take voluntary redundancy.