CONCERNS that a traditional art could be wiped out were sparked after a college announced it was ending a weaving course.

The Adult College at White Cross is abandoning a handloom weaving course because the equipment takes up too much room.

The college says it is making way for smaller looms so the classroom can also play host to other activities and courses such as jewellery making, stained glass and stone carving.

But a student on the course, Andrea Briddon, claims the course is very popular' and well subscribed'.

"My fellow students and I are very concerned about this as, to our knowledge, there is no similar course held in the North of Lancashire and Cumbria.

"The loss to the cultural heritage of this area will be considerable if weaving no longer takes place.

"Once this knowledge is lost it cannot be replaced and the skills which made Lancashire and the North of England famous throughout the world will be gone," she says.

Although the college is searching for a new home for the old weaving looms currently at the college, it assures that a form of weaving will continue to be part of the craft programme at the college.

College principal Peter Garrod says: "We are a very popular college and our other rooms are in use for up to 16 classes each week so we have decided to reorganise the weaving room.

"Although we will have to move out the old looms we still intend to offer weaving as part of our craft programme," he adds.

He says the college intends to advertise for a new tutor soon who will teach students on smaller looms that can be easily stored.