University staff and students are celebrating after a rescue package to save a chemistry department was fully approved.

Yesterday the University of Sussex Council - the highest decision-making body - agreed to new proposals to invest in chemistry rather than close the department.

In March the university announced plans to scrap chemistry degrees, halve the number of staff and rename the department chemical biology to save £750,000.

But mass student protests and messages from eminent chemists such as Nobel Prize winner Sir Harry Kroto, who was based at the university until 2004, forced it to reconsider.

Now it has agreed the chemistry and biochemistry departments will merge and money will be provided for 11 new posts in the School of Life Sciences.

Head of chemistry Gerry Lawless said: "It's wonderful news. It's a great relief for the current students to know they can remain here and carry on their study. We can also guarantee places for students this October.

"I've been humbled by the level of support we have had but then we do have a great chemistry department."