HALTON College has issued reassurances about the future education of its students in the wake of the suspension of principal Graham Hilton.

The further education college is staying tight-lipped about the reasons for Mr Hilton's suspension but has appointed vice-principal Gary Warke as acting principal and the Greater Merseyside Learning and Skills Council has been notified.

Mr Warke is due to leave in December to take up another job, but the college has announced plans to appoint an acting principal to take over from him.

A college spokeswoman said the suspension is in place to allow a 'special committee' to be convened to 'consider certain matters relating to the principal'.

She said the situation was an internal matter, which is being dealt with in line with the Articles of Government and normal procedures.

She said the college is unable to release any information relating to the special committee.

She added the suspension had no bearing on the quality of education at the college. Expansion plans for the future were on course and the financial position was sound.

She said: 'The college is operating 'business as usual' and students and staff can be assured that they will continue to receive the full support of the college to maintain the high quality of teaching and learning.

'The Learning and Skills Council have been informed. They see these matters as being properly dealt with internally. They recently commented on the progress of Halton College over the last four years, placing it as one of the best colleges in Greater Merseyside. The matters relating to the principal are properly being handled internally. The Learning and Skills Council said Halton College is improving in all areas and responding proactively to the LSC's priorities.'

Widnes and Runcorn Sixth Form College stressed it operates entirely independently from Halton College despite sharing a campus site in Runcorn and matters relating to Halton College would have no bearing on the sixth form college.