A PROSPECTIVE parliamentary candidate is calling for a re-think over plans to merge Pershore Group of Colleges with four colleges in Warwickshire.

Richard Burt, prospective parliamentary candidate for West Worcestershire, has voiced concerns over the effects of the proposed merger on the college.

He said the college had met horticultural training needs in the county for more than 50 years.

Mr Burt also said horticulture in Worcestershire generated £40m per year - nearly 30 per cent of agricultural activity in the county. And he is concerned there would only be a small number of people representing the county on the deciding panel.

Mr Burt said the college and its students had won many national awards and was currently celebrating its short-listing for an award for its contribution to environmental performance. "It would be a tragedy to lose control over the future of Pershore College, which is a national treasure.

"Who knows what the priorities of a controlling Warwickshire group of colleges may decide in the future," he added.

The college's deputy principal Gavin Teasdale said: "Warwick-shire College is considerably larger than Pershore Group of Colleges (PGC) and this does mean the governor representation of Pershore governors on the new board would be two governors. There would be one representative from the current board on the Hereford College of Technology board.

"The intention of Warwickshire College is to invest in the site and plans for this will be drawn up in due course. At PGC we are not aware, at the present time, of any plans to reduce education provision at the Pershore campus."

He added: "It is pleasing to see that Richard Burt feels so strongly about the college and has noted some of our achievements."