A college which is £1.6m in debt looks set for a merger.

South Kent College is likely to be linked with either Sussex Downs College in Eastbourne, or West Kent College in Tonbridge.

Its last Ofsted report revealed that South Kent College, which has campuses in Folkestone, Ashford and Dover, had accrued just under £1.6m of debt.

The chosen college will inherit the staff, students, and liabilities of South Kent.

The college's interim principal Alan Harrison said: “It gives a guarantee that the students will continue to be served.”

However, he also confirmed that the merger will result in rationalisation, and the possiblity of the college moving out of certain sites completely has not been ruled out.

He added: “There are no job losses planned, the only way that would happen is if there are areas of work that are no longer needed. There are no threats of staff reduction.”

Whatever happens, the college will retain a presence in all three towns.