STAFF and students at York College are campaigning to save their book shop from closure.

A representative from the college, in Tadcaster Road, told sales assistants Mary Binnersley and Hazel Allender, that the book shop had been earmarked for closure.

The shop, which has been part of the college for ten years and sells text books, stationery and sweets, is expected to close at the end of the summer term because it is no longer financially viable to keep the facility open in its present location.

Hazel told the Evening Press of her disappointment after learning of the shop's imminent closure through a rumour.

She said: "I am quite upset. We started a petition and already we've got 600 signatures. Staff and students alike have been calling in to tell us how appalled they are."

Hazel and Mary, who both work part-time in the shop, said they had been inundated with outraged students suggesting ways to oppose the closure, including a protest march.

They will present the petition to the principal when they have collected more signatures.

Hazel said: "The book shop shouldn't just be about profit making, for us it's about a service for the students, service to the community."

A spokeswoman for York College said: "The York College Book shop is due to close at the end of the summer term.

"However, the services provided by the book shop will be transferred to other outlets in the college so that students will not be disadvantaged in any way.

"The college is currently working with the book shop staff and discussing possible redeployment for them within the college."

Updated: 08:46 Monday, June 16, 2003