EXISTING universities are trying to block Worcester's attempt to win its own fully-fledged university - writes James Slack from the House of Commons.

But Higher Education Minister Margaret Hodge has vowed to forge ahead with a controversial review which will finally allow University College Worcester to be granted full status.

The news emerged when Ms Hodge met a delegation from Worcestershire and Herefordshire, who were trying to pin down a firm date for the move at Westminster yesterday.

UCW has been striving for university status, but has been frustrated by strict Government rules which state the college does not carry out sufficient research.

But a sweeping review carried out by the Education Department in January, changed the criteria.

Now, the college must only meet benchmarks that it awards its own degrees, rather than them being linked to a university, has significant student numbers and offers a wide range of courses.

Government insiders have said UCW will almost certainly pass these tests - but Universities UK is trying to block the changes.

Ms Hodge stressed the organisation, which represents the countries existing universities, had "nothing personal" against UCW.

But it claims there is no need to create any further universities. Ms Hodge said she did not accept their arguments and would press ahead with the change.