THOUSANDS of college places across East Lancashire are set to be axed due to millions of pounds in funding cuts.

Principals and MPs today hit out at the move, which they said would prevent people using a vital stepping stone back into education through courses such as basic computing to GCSE maths.

They are already lobbying Parliament over the proposals, prompted by a renewed emphasis on education for teenagers.

The move follows the controversial reduction in government funding last year which spelled the end of scores of non-vocational hobby' courses ranging from yoga to pottery at Blackburn and Burnley Colleges.

Blackburn College, Burnley College, Accrington and Rossendale College, Nelson and Colne College, and St Mary's College, Blackburn, were told of the cuts by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

The body responsible for post-16 education is due to confirm the cuts in May, prompting major course cutbacks in September.

Ian Clinton, principal at worst-hit Blackburn College branded the policy a "backward step" after revealing an estimated five per cent cut amounted to a £1 million.

He said: "We and the other colleges are still in negotiations with the LSC but if these cuts go through I would estimate we would provide for at least 1,000 less places and that could affect 30 to 50 courses."

"These courses are a way of gaining entry to other courses and without them these adults will not be able to go on to develop their studies and possibly go onto take a degree course.

"We should be doing all we can in East Lancashire to encourage more graduates but without the necessary qualifications you can't go into higher education. I think this is a backward step."

Accrington & Rossendale College is also set to scrap 1,000 courses from its adult learning provision due to a predicted £500,000 reduction nine per cent of its budget.

Principal Nancy Cookson said: "It is too early to say what courses would be affected but those we offer in community centres such as part-time GCSE in maths and ICT programmes would be in jeopardy.

"The sort of courses in jeopardy are the ones adults use as a stepping stone back into learning and without these lower level courses they will not be able to go onto the next level.

"It is a mess and the government doesn't seem to realise think what happens further down the line."

Kevin McMahon, principal at St Mary's College, revealed proposed funding for adult courses had been slashed by almost 50 per cent, from £200,000 to just over £101,000. And although he said every effort would be made to ensure the 400 adult learners would still be catered for, he feared the lack of funding could force the closure of courses.

All five principals plan to make a collective approach to the LSC about the proposed reduction and have already written to Bill Rammell, Minister of State for Further & Higher Education.

He ironically pledged his support with Blackburn MP Jack Straw for a government-level review into whether the area should have a university when he visited Blackburn College a few weeks ago.

Sandra Whyte, director of learning and adult policy at the LSC in Lancashire, said: "We have a particular commitment to ensuring every 16-18 year old has appropriate learning or training opportunities. Therefore we prioritise our funding towards this group.

"In line with government policy we expect employers and individuals requiring more advanced training to contribute to the cost of higher level courses."

A Government education spokesman said: "Although the budget is up overall the funding is being targeted at basic skills for 16-18-year-olds. As a result, some courses may have to be cut or people may be expected to pay a little bit more as the government rebalances the budget to meet its priorities."

Blackburn MP Jack Straw said: "I will take this up with Bill Rammell immediately. He has seen first hand the excellent work being done at Blackburn College."

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans added: "I think this is staggering and ridiculous. Labour's mantra of Education, Education, Education' has become Cuts, Cuts, Cuts'.