MORE than a hundred Inverclyde sports students say they have been left ‘in limbo’ over next year’s courses.

They attend sportscotland’s Inverclyde National Sports Centre in Largs, but that will not be available from August because the facility is being redeveloped — and no alternative arrangements have been put in place yet.

They might have to travel to Paisley, Renfrew, Kilwinning or Kilmarnock — although they say they would prefer to use facilities in the Inverclyde area.

Some of the 150 students met Greenock & Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil to express their frustration at the lack of information.

Mr McNeil today said the situation was a ‘totally unacceptable’ shambles.

The MSP says he is trying to clarify matters with West College Scotland (WCS) and Ayrshire College, who took over the Largs campus after the Scottish Government’s controversial reorganisation of the further education sector last year.

Mr McNeil told the Telegraph: “Someone has to take responsibility for this transition. Facilities should be provided close to home for these students.

“They shouldn’t have to travel further afield to continue their studies.

“There has been a lack of communiction and they are caught between two colleges — this has been handled in a shambolic way.” Student Ross Wilson says local people on the course are disgusted at the way they have been treated.

Ross said: “There should be negotiations to develop sports coaching courses in the Inverclyde area, where the facilities are excellent, but it seems WCS and Ayrshire management have failed to see this.” The affected students are aged from 17 to 32 and studying sports coaching and development.

Some hope to go on to university, but say this is being jeopardised by the uncertainty.

West College Scotland principal Audrey Cumberford says she is exploring options for expanding sports provision in Greenock and Paisley.

She said: “A decision has been taken to consider alternative options at Ayrshire College and West College Scotland for the new session August 2014-15.” Ayrshire College principal Heather Dunk says her institution is working closely with both WCS and North Ayrshire Council to identify other facilities to minimise the impact of change on students and course provision.

She said: “With regard to students who live in Inverclyde, I am working with WCS to explore options for this group of students in Greenock.

“This will reduce the travel time for students and reduce their spending on travel costs, which I am sure will benefit them.

“I will continue to work toward achieving a positive outcome for staff and students in this transition period.” In a statement, a spokesman for WCS added: “Until 31 July 2013, all sports provision delivered from Largs was done so by James Watt College.

“The decision was taken at government level that the Largs provision would be assigned to Ayrshire College following the merger. Therefore, all students studying at Largs are Ayrshire College students. There is no dubiety about that and the same is true of staff.

“All communication to students has come from Ayrshire College.” He added: “All students know that WCS’s applications are open for August 2014. We want students to apply and we have a member of staff at our Greenock campus available to offer advice and guidance.

“Of those who have applied, we understand their experience has been good, and they are clear as to what is on offer at WCS next session.”