ACTION is needed now to save a county college, according to a councillor trying to prevent its closure.

Cllr Tom Wells has set up a group to discuss solutions to avoid the closure of Malvern Hills College, which is due to shut down in 2021.

Cllr Wells said something needs to be done to save the college, which has had a presence in the town for more than 100 years, originally being Malvern Art College in the late 19th Century.

As a result, the group’s inaugural meeting was held on Tuesday night (December 1) where interested councillors, residents and prominent figures discussed options to keep the college open.

Cllr Wells said: "The district council (Malvern Hills) was not informed so it was a surprise to us all as well as the current students, who only got the letter last week with the news.

READ MORE: Councillors and MP slam decision to shut down Malvern Hills College

"With this in mind, we set up our task group, with residents, local councillors and students who have used the college before.

"We are going to have a look at all possible options as the college is incredibly important. It allows people to train for work or for just a hobby so it would be a shame without it.

"What we need now is action and a plan to address this problem, no amount of petitions will solve this. We need to find a way now."

The college is set to close in 2021 after WCG, which runs it, found it was “no longer viable” to run. As a result of the move, the college will re-open for one final term before it closes for good.

Announcing the closure, Angela Joyce, CEO of WCG, said: "We have worked hard to maintain the three Colleges in Worcestershire, all of which had quality or financial issues when they merged into the Group, and no major change is entered into without assessing all the consequences.

READ MORE: What should be done with former Malvern Hills College building after it closes?

"Given the widely-known pressures in the FE sector, linked to a decade of funding cuts, we have had to continually drive improvements and like almost all organisations and businesses, COVID-19 has impacted WCG significantly.

"Whilst Malvern Hills College has been a community learning facility for decades, it has not been financially viable for a number of years due to reduced adult education funding and a diminishing customer base.

"The type of education offered at Malvern Hills College is sadly no longer viable for WCG as Malvern Hills College has been financially supported by the rest of the Group since.

"We recognise the important role the College plays in supporting part of the community and we hope we can find a way for the courses to continue for local people to attend."