Headteachers have voiced fears over the proposed merger of two East Sussex colleges.

At a meeting of the Eastbourne Secondary Headteachers last night teachers were said to have been "unanimous in their concern" over proposals to merge Park College in Kings Drive, Eastbourne, with Sussex Downs College, which has campuses in Eastbourne, Lewes and Newhaven.

Mark Dawkins, headteacher at Cavendish Senior School in Eldon Road, Eastbourne, said: "The Eastbourne Secondary Head Teachers are disappointed by the announcement regarding Park and Sussex Downs Colleges, especially as we have invested a great deal of effort setting up an Eastbourne Education Federation.

"The aim of the federation is to encourage extensive collaboration across the 14 to 19 age range whilst retaining diversity and choice, which includes the continued existence of a separate high-quality sixth form college like Park."

Mr Dawkins said the group had called for talks to take place in the New Year.

Sussex Downs College was created last year after a merger between Eastbourne College of Arts and Technology (Ecat) and Lewes Tertiary College, making it the largest further education centre in Sussex.

It currently employs more than 1,000 staff and offers more than 750 qualifications to about 4,500 full-time and 22,000 part-time students a year.

Although college principals, Phil Frier at Park and Dr John Blake at Sussex Downs, are still thrashing out details it is believed Park will retain its current use as an A-level centre, while other campuses will offer practical training courses.

It is unclear whether Mr Frier will retain his post at the college.

A joint statement issued by the principals said: "Both colleges have explored the possibilities of a closer working relationship.

"We have looked at how both colleges could further enhance the quality of learning and pastoral care of students through a sharing of skills and knowledge.

"A closer working relationship would lead to a wider range of choice and opportunities for students and learners of all ages. This is a very worthy goal."

The merger is expected to be completed by the middle of 2003.