TWO rival colleges are to merge in the face of an increasingly competitive further education market.

Governors at Middlesbrough College and Teesside Tertiary College, both in Middlesbrough, have agreed to the union next April.

With 15,000 students on the rolls, the result will be one of the largest colleges in the country.

The colleges have a combined staff of 700.

What impact the merger will have on jobs is not yet known, but John Hogg, principal at the Middlesbrough College met representatives of staff trade unions, late yesterday.

He said: "This coming together will assure the future of tertiary further education in Middlesbrough for years ahead. It is also about doing it ourselves or having circumstances forced upon us.

"It is a rationalisation of tertiary provision in the town. It won't inhibit choice but promote a wid-er choice of programme."

Kate Brown, deputy principal at Teesside Tertiary, said: "When you consider there are another 11 colleges in the Tees Valley, and sixth form colleges at schools, we felt it was far better to work together and show a united front for Middlesbrough.''

No decision been made on a name for the merged college.