Jobs fear as disabled college is threatened with closure

Eighty jobs could be lost if an axe-threatened Shropshire college for disabled adults closes because of Government spending cuts, it emerged today.

Loppington College, based in the village near Wem, is the smallest specialist college in Britain and caters for about 14 adults. It has been operated by care home operator Southern Cross Healthcare for about three years.

But now the college faces closure after the Young Peoples' Learning Agency pulled its funding two weeks ahead of the new term.

Letters seen by the Shropshire Star show dismayed bosses fear the short notice has also put at risk the attached residential centre.

A letter from bosses says: "It necessarily means the college will now close, with young people's lives disrupted and 80 local jobs lost. The shame of this action by the YPLA is that the college is profitable, stable and operating well, there are good inspection reports."

In response, YPLA officials insisted "Loppington House Ltd's financial assessment remains inadequate".