Decisions on who could take over the financially-troubled K College when it is broken up next year are another step closer.

Further education chiefs have announced details of a formal competition inviting other education providers to bid to run separate campuses in Tonbridge, Ashford, Tunbridge Wells, Dover and Folkestone.

More than 50 organisations - including other colleges and companies - have already expressed an interest in taking over when the existing college is formally broken up.

Two open days are to take place on May 22 and May 23.

New providers - who could take over all of the existing college sites as one - are set to take over from next July.

K College interim principal Phil Frier said: "This is great news and ensures the continuation of the college's provision for the foreseeable future. There is a lot of interest from other colleges, training providers and universities in bidding for the work currently operating across all five towns.

"We have always said the college will not close and this open competition signifies a bright future for both students across Kent and also our own staff."

The timescale means existing students will continue their courses under the auspices of the existing college until 2014.

The break-up of K College, which was formed of a merger between West Kent College and South Kent College in 2010, comes after it ran into up a deficit of £16million.

Under the break up, it is likely that there will be two colleges: one half incorporating the Dover and Folkstone campuses, the other comprising Ashford, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.

About 15,000 students are on courses while the college employs 1,100 staff.

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