COLLEGE cleaners on Teesside are at the centre of a row between a local MP and academic bosses.

Cleaners at Stockton and Billingham College are angry that bosses are apparently refusing to cater for them when the college moves sites to Thornaby.

They contacted the MP for Stockton North, Frank Cook, who defended their rights in a hard-hitting Press statement.

But members of the college hierarchy have denied they are mistreating the cleaners and said they had employed a full-time personnel expert to deal with staff's concern over the impending move.

Mr Cook attacked what he called the "cynical and cavalier" treatment of the cleaners who, he said, had been given no help in changing sites.

He said the cleabers, who begin work at 6.30am, had been told they would still have to start at that time when they move to Thornaby later this year.

His statement read: "I am frankly appalled by the way these staff, some of whom have worked for the college for 12 years, are being treated.

"It actually reflects the whole attitude of the college to the people of Billingham throughout the entire process of the move to Teesdale.

"I will certainly be taking up this issue with the college principal and pointing out that there is a certain moral - and possibly a legal - argument for providing proper assistance to help them keep their jobs without facing unacceptable financial costs for getting to and from the new college site."

The college responded with a statement in which it said that Mr Cook had got his facts wrong.

Deputy principal John Kirk said: "It is a pity that Mr Cook had not discussed his concerns with us before making assumptions.

"The college has employed a professional human resource expert to assist all staff affected by the move.

"This person has met with a number of our cleaning staff and a team meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.

"Discussions have also taken place with the cleaners with a view to finding more convenient employment if that is what they want.

"Obviously, cleaning is normally carried out when there are no other staff or students in the building, but this is something we can discuss.

"Assistance has also been offered to staff for collective travel arrangements."