THE closure of a rural college would be a major blow to an already deprived area, say community leaders.

Wensleydale Centre, at Askrigg, in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, will close in September unless a rescue package can be created.

The college caters for about 300 adult learners.

The announcement follows the decision by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to slash funding to Craven College, which runs the centre, by 20 per cent.

Councillor Yvonne Peacock, a trustee of the Yorebridge Education Foundation, which manages the college building, said the closure was a very serious issue.

She said: "This is another blow for a rural area that is ranked 21st in the Government's indices of deprivation for access to services.

"The college is used by people who work but want to learn new skills, as well as by the Wensleydale School, local businesses and national park staff. It is a wonderful facility."

Wensleydale county councillor John Blackie described the planned closure as a devastating blow.

The LSC said the cuts were due to the Government's prioritising of education for 16-to 18-year-olds and for adults with poor vocational qualifications. This meant less money for other forms of adult education.

Alan Blackwell, principal of Skipton-based Craven College, said: "We are passionate about rural provision and we fought long and hard to build up a rural network over 15 painstaking years.

"Funding cuts of up to 20 per cent are outrageous.

"They came without warning and are devastating."

College officials and councillors will hold a meeting today to discuss the proposed closure.

David Harbourne, executive director of the LSC in York, said that a representative of his organisation would be attending.

He said: "We will go along genuinely interested to see if there is some way of maintaining some learning at Askrigg.

"It may not be exactly the same as before.

"We have no magic wand to wave to produce more money and the Government's priorities have already been set, but we are more than willing to discuss the situation."