The Government has finally given the go-ahead for a merger of West Oxfordshire College with Abingdon College.

They are to combine forces, with a new logo and official launch date on April 2.

It will be known as Abingdon and Witney College, using both sets of buildings in a split-site operation.

Bob Challis, principal designate, said this week: "Preparations for bringing the two colleges together are well advanced. This will be an exciting and detailed process, involving Students, staff and governors.

"Everyone connected with the two colleges is determined to make a success of it. We are all looking forward to the new venture."

The merger is the result of a lengthy process going back over a year and now given Government sanction by Baroness Blackstone, Minister for Education.

West Oxfordshire College, at Witney, is one of the smallest colleges of its kind in the country - with around 650 full-time and 2,000 part-time students - and, because of limited funding, unable to offer training in some skills.

Abingdon College, with a campus at Northcourt Road just off the town centre, has 800 full-time and 8,000 part-time students.

The Witney-based college went outside the control of the local education authority in 1992 and ran into serious cash problems two years ago. Courses had to be scrapped and some staff were made redundant.

Talks were held with Oxford College of Further Education as well as Abingdon in a bid to secure a better deal on courses for students.

Students have been assured that the merger will not result in long journeys between the two towns and districts.

Geoff Bonner, chairman of governors at the Witney College, said: "We are not planning any switching of courses. Right from the start we realised it was impractical to have students travelling because there are no bus services. The staff will travel rather than the students. The merger is more about sharing of resources."

West Oxfordshire College's equestrian studies centre at Common Leys Farm, Hailey, and Warren Farm agricultural centre at Horton-cum-Studley will stay in the new set-up.