THE owners of a factory site earmarked by Darlington College of Technology for a new multi-million pound complex warned last night that the deal is not a foregone conclusion.

College principal and chief executive Sarah Farley this week unveiled plans to move from its Cleveland Road site and build a £27m "learning park" on the outskirts of the town.

The Torrington Company confirmed that it was in talks with the college over the sale of its Yarm Road base, but said it had also received an offer from a company interested in the land.

Torrington said it had not yet received a formal offer from the college.

Manager Andy Dillon said: "No decision has been made on the future owner of the site. We already have one attractive offer that we are considering.

"We are waiting for the college to confirm what it intends to offer for the site."

Torrington, which has seen its Darlington workforce reduced to just over 100 in recent years, is considering selling its Yarm Road site as part of a move to new premises in the region, in order to reduce costs.

Last night, Mrs Farley said: "We have identified Torrington as our preferred option for the development of the new college complex.

"However, we are still at the planning stage and not yet in a position to make a formal offer to Torrington to acquire the site."