A TROUBLED Hampshire college has completed its controversial merger with a crime reduction charity.

Totton College’s plan to join forces with the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (Nacro) has finally gone ahead – ending months of uncertainty over the future of the site.

But the deal has seen the departure of interim principal Jo Landles and assistant principal Alex Richards.

As reported by the Daily Echo, the college launched a search for a partner after facing a cash crisis caused by a drop in student numbers.

After talks with Eastleigh College broke down staff opened negotiations with Nacro.

A spokesman for the charity said: “We are keen for Totton College to thrive in the local community and are committed to making it a vocational centre of excellence.

“Nacro staff will be working hard with our colleagues at Totton College to ensure it becomes the college of choice for local students.

“We will also be engaging with local businesses and employers to make sure that the courses the college provides meet the needs of business, apprentices and local employment.

“We firmly believe that our approach to education will cater for all skill sets and offers a pathway to future employment or further education.”

Mike Hawker, chairman of the board at the college, said staff were working closely with Nacro to ensure the continued provision of high quality learning.

But he added that interim principal Jo Landles had decided to leave the college and thatHe said: “Jo has worked hard to ensure the college has remained in a position to continue to deliver high quality learning and this was acknowledged in Ofsted’s latest report. Mark Sellis, the college’s director of finance, has accepted the position of interim principal.”

Mr Hawker added that Alex Richards had decided to stand down as assistant principal.

Earlier this year the cash crisis confronting the college forced it to scrap A-level courses. Governors later described the described the merger with Nacro as the only alternative to closure.

Totton councillor David Harrison said: “For the sake of all the staff, the students and the wider community who might use the college in the future, I really hope that things work out."

“It’s a chance for a fresh start and to move forward in a positive fashion.”

Nacro claims it has no plans to create a specialist college for ex-offenders.