STAFF are to be laid off at University College Worcester as part of a "review of its academic portfolio".

The college, in St John's, says it needs to concentrate its efforts in areas where there are high levels of demand, such as sports studies and drama.

The college - which this month complained of a "disappointing" £9m handout from the Government - has invested in a new drama studio and a sports centre.

Dorma Urwin, the college principal, confirmed UCW staff numbers would be cut in the next two years, as employees on fixed-term contracts and lecturers on an hourly rate were made redundant.

"Those eligible will be offered early retirement packages or the chance to move from full-time to part-time employment," she said.

"UCW has a responsibility to increase and widen access to higher education," added Mrs Urwin.

She confirmed the college wanted to reduce its budget by £900,000 but said the savings would be channelled into "new growth areas".

Mrs Urwin said the college, in Henwick Road, had begun the review because of "changing student patterns".

"We will re-focus our academic portfolio to meet the increasing demand for vocational, professional and work-related courses, such as business and IT, social care, media and leisure and tourism," she said. "This mirrors what is happening in higher education nationally."

She strongly refuted rumours that a senior figure at the college had resigned in protest about the cuts.

No one from UNISON or at the lecturers' union NATFHE was available to comment.