A college principal says he fears for the future of working class education as student debts soar.

Michael Thrower, of Northbrook College, Worthing, voiced his concern at an awards ceremony attended by more than 1,000 people.

He called on the Government to ensure funding was in place so people from poorer backgrounds could pursue higher education.

Students today leave college or university with debts of about £12,000, which is likely to rise to about £20,000 in the next few years.

Mr Thrower told students and parents at Worthing's Assembly Hall it was good news that the number of students taking degree courses had increased substantially but he was saddened the growth was almost entirely among the more well-off.

"There has been very little increase in the number of working class students.

"It is particularly a concern when I see the increasing costs of undertaking higher education are now preventing working class students from considering higher qualifications."

Mr Thrower said his college was one of the fastest-growing higher education institutes in Britain.

He said the college was growing from strength to strength, which eight new BA honours degree courses and 11 foundation degree courses recently added to the curriculum.

This year it opened a new £2.5 million building at Shoreham airport for aircraft and car engineering students.