UP TO 40 jobs could be lost at Weymouth College as bosses prepare a restructuring plan to save more than £1 million.

Chiefs are confident a plan to bail out the cash-strapped college will see it on the road to success.

Voluntary redundancy packages will be offered to staff in the first instance, but the hope is that most of the jobs will be lost through natural wastage.

The move follows problems at the college last year when there was an organisational revamp as bosses prepared to operate from a single site at Cranford Avenue.

The campus underwent a £13 million rebuilding programme in preparation for the move.

The college was also rocked by a total of 10 resignations from the governing board after in-fighting over the way ahead for the management of the college.

Most of these spaces have now been filled. Chairman of the governors is now solicitor Geoffrey Meakins.

He said: "The college has experienced some financial difficulties in the past. This is part of a continuing programme of trying to put the college back on a firm financial footing.

"All large organisations go through restructuring as their business changes and the college is no different."

Mr Meakins could not say how many jobs will be lost but the Echo understands that it could be up to 40.

College principal Susan Moore said support would be provided for those members of staff who were to be made redundant and changes would not affect student enrolments.

She said in a statement: "Weymouth College is extremely successful in many curriculum areas.

"However, we are now at a point where there is a need to manage the college's financial position more pro-actively, having taken a critical review of its ability to respond to changes."

She added: "There are many areas in which the college has excelled but equally many areas where we recognise opportunities for development and progression.

"The restructuring will enable us to do this. Unfortunately, in the light of the current financial position, redundancies will be needed to secure a strong foundation for the future."

College funding and planning providers the Learning and Skills Council supports the action plan, which was approved at a recent board of governors meeting.

Executive director Trish Taylor said: "We fully support the plans to lay the foundation for success at Weymouth College following the strategic analysis carried out by independent consultants and the current review of its financial position."

Alan Roebuck, local chairman of the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education, which represents about 150 staff at the college, said the union was studying the restructuring plan and would be meeting with members and management next week to discuss the way forward.