STUDENTS who lost out when the collapsed York Business College closed its doors have been offered a lifeline.

Chiefs at the Tadcaster Learning Centre and Target learndirect centre have offered former students of the college a chance to continue their studies on free computer courses.

Those who take up the offer and enrol on a course, either at the Tadcaster centre or at Target, in York, will only have to pay exam fees. John Barton, learning centre manager, said he wanted to help after reading in the Evening Press about the plight of students at York Business College.

We featured the story of Mark Townend, who paid for a computer course at the now defunct college, in Museum Street, only for it to close weeks later.

Mr Barton said: "I was saddened to read about Mark who had invested his money and his dreams into a course which he is now not able to complete.

"I decided that if we could help we should."

Liquidators revealed on Wednesday that less than £1,000 is likely to be shared between creditors who lost money when York Business College collapsed.

A loss of contracts was blamed for the demise of the college, which is estimated to have trained more than 50,000 people since it opened in 1989.

Now students have been given fresh hope. Mr Barton said that the most expensive course, the A+ computer course, would cost students £100 for the two exams they must sit - instead of the £200 usually charged by the college. Free courses will be offered wherever possible.

Peter Bagley, of Target, in Piccadilly, York, said: "We have already been approached by a few students, but decided we needed to react now, to let others know what we are able to offer."

Mr Bagley and Mr Barton have urged students formerly on computer courses at York Business College to contact them to find out more.

Target learndirect can be contacted by phone on 01904 671171. To contact Tadcaster Learning Centre, phone 01937 832232.

Updated: 10:15 Friday, May 23, 2003