Askham Bryan College in York will be taking over further education land-based courses at the University of Cumbria’s Newton Rigg campus on July 31.

The deal means that Askham Bryan will plough £2.4 million worth of investment into Newton Rigg, improving its farm and revitalising degree and diploma courses, particularly in agriculture and countryside management.

It will also mean that the York college and the Cumbrian establishment will set up a joint rural research institute.

The announcement flies in the face of what Liz Philip, Askham Bryan’s principal, describes as “rumours” about asset-stripping.

She said: “We have been successfully providing education for the farmers and landowners of tomorrow from our York campus for more than six decades and are very much looking forward to ensuring that Newton Rigg becomes a centre of agricultural excellence.

“Rumours that we planned to asset-strip the site are totally wrong. On the contrary, we plan a £2.4 million investment into the site, and particularly the farm which we will restock with dairy cattle and upgrade with new facilities.”

Her vision was for Askham Bryan and Newton Rigg to become “a dynamic and innovative force driving agricultural excellence in the north of England”.

The University of Cumbroia and Askham Bryan College will now negotiate on the transfer of staff. A spokeswoman for Askham Bryan College said: “It is early days but it is anticipated that some new jobs may be needed in Cumbria further down the line.”