COLLEGES in Middlesbrough and Redcar have become the latest to plan a merger.
Middlesbrough College confirmed it was in "early, positive discussion" with Redcar & Cleveland College about the possibility of joining together.
A steering group is being set up to work towards a "strong and sustainable" solution.
The announcement comes just days after Stockton Riverside College announced that it could be joining up with Darlington College.
Stockton Sixth Form has also recently merged with Prior Pursglove, in Guisborough, and Hartlepool College is set to join with Hartlepool Sixth Form.
The plans follow a review of further education, and sixth form colleges, which has been carried out as part of a nation-wide programme.
The review centred on provision in the Tees Valley area, including Darlington.
It has been decided that Cleveland College of Art and Design should remain on its own, but the merged Prior Pursglove and Stockton Sixth Form are being encouraged to become an academy and link in with local schools.
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