THE Principal of University College Worcester has said goodbye after 10 years in charge.

Since she started at the St John's campus in 1992 Dorma Urwin has seen an increase in students, courses and budgets.

She leaves today for new challenges although she has not made her plans public.

"When I first joined, very few people in Worcester knew the college existed," said Ms Urwin.

"It was known, if known as anything, as the teacher training college up on the hill. I'm proud that, as I leave,

UCW has developed a strong local and national reputation for the quality of its teaching."

When she arrived in 1992 there were just 1,900 students, half of whom were training to be teachers, and there was a budget of £7m.

This year, there are 7,000 students and a budget of almost £25m.

Many of the students are trainee teachers, but there are also nursing courses and a growth in sports and business degrees.

The graduation ceremonies in Worcester Cathedral are one of the highlights of her decade at the helm and she is keen to see UCW expand further into the city.

"It's important that the city is seen to be supportive of UCW and everything we stand for," said Ms Urwin.

She is also keen for UCW to take over the former hospital site in Castle Street.

"This would allow for the expansion we need to see but which cannot be accommodated on the existing campus," she said.

Achieving full university status is also a vital step and one now within our grasp."