COLLEGE staff fear the a campus may close due to a budget deficit of £1.7 million.

A shortfall in September enrolments at Dover's South Kent College is believed to have contributed to the deficit, and staff blame the small class sizes on administrative errors - claiming that applications have been lost in the system.

Alan Harrison, made interim principal pending the appointment of full-time one, said: “At present, South Kent College aims to retain a presence in Dover, Folkestone and Ashford. The size of that presence will be determined by the needs of students and financial viability.

“The college wants to provide learning for the students of south Kent, but it has to put resources where learners are.”

At the beginning of term the college was short of its estimate of student numbers.

A member of staff, who does not wish to be named, said that at a consultation meeting, called to discuss the impact of the low student numbers, various quick fix solutions were discussed ranging from amalgamating classes, cutting inefficient courses completely and, ultimately, the possibility of closing a campus.

He said: “All sorts of things were discussed at the meeting but, unfortunately, all the obvious stuff like amalgamating classes has already been done.”

Mr Harrison said: “In its latest accounts, presented to governors on Monday, October 15, South Kent College reported a £1.7 million deficit.

"This is a college in the process of recovery and its budget deficit must be addressed."