JAMES Watt College principal Sue Pinder has issued a reassurance that courses will be unaffected by a forthcoming merger.

Ms Pinder, pictured, expressed optimism about the college's future after it merges with Clydebank and Reid Kerr in Paisley - and said the number of programmes available would not change in the forseeable future. But she warned that the future of the Waterfront Campus may be at risk if the number of teenagers in Inverclyde continues to decline.

A consultation is currently being held into the amalgamation of the three colleges, which will create a new 'west region' further education establishment.

But concerns have been expressed that Inverclyde students might have to travel to Clydebank or Paisley in future if courses are cut.

Ms Pinder, who has been principal for five years, said: "There will always be a whole range of courses for local people but over time, specialist areas might come into place.

"This could involve Inverclyde students going to other colleges for specialist subjects and students from elsewhere coming to James Watt for others.

"I think the merger will be a real opportunity to offer something bigger and better." The consultation will include a review of the future use of James Watt's two campuses in Greenock - and Ms Pinder admitted that changes may be on the horizon.

She said: "The two campuses will certainly continue to be used in the immediate future, but demographics work against the college.

"The number of 16 to 19-year-olds is reducing and if this continues over the next five to seven years there is the possibility that funding might be reduced accordingly for James Watt, and that could change the work it does.

"We have no intention of not using the Waterfront, but you have to have a budget to deliver your programme.

"No one can give a definite answer on what courses will be run five to 10 years down the line." Ms Pinder added that although there might be a new overall name for the regional college, each location would retain its own identity, such as 'James Watt Campus'.

She said: "The James Watt College board have no intention of relinquishing the name."