ABINGDON and Witney College has announced it is planning to merge with Northamptonshire's Moulton College.

Barry Jenner, chair of governors for the Oxfordshire higher education institution, which has 2,000 full time and 10,000 part time students, said they were 'very pleased' to be chosen as the preferred merger partner for the college, which focuses on vocational training.

Abingdon and Witney College principal Di Batchelor added: “We believe that a merged college will bring significant benefits for the students, staff, employer partners and communities of both colleges.

"We are looking forward to completing the due diligence process and to working with the staff and stakeholders of Moulton College to plan a positive and successful future for both organisations.”

Subject to this process, the colleges plan to join in March 2019.

The Oxfordshire college, which has campuses in Abingdon, Witney and Common Leys Farm near Hailey, was created in April 2001 when Abingdon College and West Oxfordshire College merged.