Leeds colleges consider merger

Airedale and Wharfedale College in Leeds has announced it is considering merging with the city's Park Lane College. The move would create the largest further education college in west Yorkshire, with more than ,000 students and 840 full-time equivalent staff. Park Lane was one of five colleges that expressed interest in a merger. Keith Reynolds, chairman of the Park Lane College Corporation, said the two institutions would explore the options during the next 12 months.