PARISH councillors are urging Bishop Auckland College to save a dales computer centre from closure.

The Computer Learning Centre, at the Durham Dales Centre, in Stanhope, is the only one in Weardale offering a City and Guilds qualification.

But with numbers falling, it is due to close at the end of the month. Stanhope Parish Council is writing a letter of objection.

Councillor Harry Irwin said: "It has been an ideal provision. It is something else we are going to lose from the dale."

The college runs other courses, including food hygiene and IT classes at Frosterley, St John's Chapel, Eastgate and Rookhope, while new language courses are also planned. Computer courses will move from the centre to Stanhope Community Centre.

Joanna Tait, the college's principal and chief executive, said: "Bishop Auckland College has an excellent reputation for providing community learning to thousands of learners, many of whom have progressed on to higher level courses.

"Community learning is at the heart of the college's ethos and mission and, while providing a permanent computer learning centre at the Dales Centre is no longer a viable proposition, the college is maintaining its profile in Stanhope and will continue to support community learning."