THERE has been a large increase in the number of students planning to attend part and full-time courses at Bicton College in the next academic year. The news follows a difficult start to 2010 for the college which faced possible closure because of debts a

THERE has been a large increase in the number of students planning to attend part and full-time courses at Bicton College in the next academic year.

The news follows a difficult start to 2010 for the college which faced possible closure because of debts amounting to �3m.

The number of places available on many courses for 2010/11 has risen by 64 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Clare Crick, admissions officer at the college, said: "We're absolutely delighted with the interest now being shown in the courses within all departments."

Bicton has now secured the necessary support to continue its development as an independent centre of academic excellence.

Exeter College, which had refused to take on Bicton's debt, has said it will now continue to work collaboratively with Bicton.