A UNIVERSITY has backed out of controversial plans to close its top-rated chemistry department.

Students are celebrating at the University of Sussex after the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alasdair Smith, dropped closure plans announced in March.

The university wanted to scrap chemistry degrees, halve the number of staff and rename the department chemical biology to save £750,000.

Senior managers met on Friday and agreed a rescue package for the department, which has a Grade 5 research rating and has produced two Nobel Prize winners. The chemistry and biochemistry departments will merge so that resources can be shared and programmes and teaching can be planned for both at the same time.

Money will be provided for 11 new posts in the Life Sciences department.

The package was agreed by senior managers on the Senate committee and will be rubber-stamped by the University Council on Monday.

Second year chemistry student Liz Atkinson said: "There are no adverse effects on us so we're as happy as Larry.

"If the closure had gone ahead we'd have had to go to another university, and the nearest ones offering the same courses are in London or Southampton, 40 miles away. We've been protesting all day and now we're outside the bar, so I expect there will be a party later."

Professor Jonathan Bacon, Dean of the School of Life Sciences, said: "I am very pleased. Chemistry underpins the full range of science activities in my school. This commitment would allow the school to plan for investment in areas of excellence across all its departments."

Head of Chemistry Dr Gerry Lawless said: "I welcome the Vice-Chancellor's recommendation to retain chemistry programmes at Sussex. We can now go forward in confidence to build on our excellence in chemistry at Sussex."

Mr Smith said: "There is still hard work and planning ahead to develop the detail of the financial and academic plans for making a merger work.

"They will still need to be given detailed scrutiny by Senate and Council at their meetings in June.

"But this direction now gives welcome clarity to current and potential students about the strong future of chemistry programmes at Sussex."