MATURE students are campaigning to keep their classes in Horwich.

From January they will have to travel to Bolton if they want to continue their courses.

People who attend courses in domestic science and upholstery at the Horwich campus of Bolton Community College on Victoria Road, will have to transfer to the college's main centre near Bolton town centre.

But many of them say it is step too far and that difficulties with transport and health will mean them having to cancel their courses altogether.

College bosses insist the move is essential and say the rooms used by the two courses are underultilised.

Student Mrs Chris Hodginkson, aged 60, said: "We have all paid for our courses and now part way through them we are being told they will be at a different centre.

"I thought the Government wanted people to be taught in their own communities. This goes completely against that. Students in Horwich should be served in Horwich.

"There are many elderly people who are angry at this move and say they can't get to Bolton because of ill health and transport problems."

Both courses are run on most days of the week but the classrooms in Horwich will be closed from December 20. A 15-week course costs £60, with concessions for pensioners.

Bosses at Bolton Community College, on Manchester Road, say the Horwich rooms will be used to teach students who are employees of local businesses.

A spokesman said: "Bolton Community College is constantly assessing and evaluating room usage at all its centres.

"A recent room survey at the Horwich Centre revealed a small number of rooms under-utilised, one being the domestic science room."