The proposed merger between the University of Bradford and Bradford College "was not a done deal", an education chief warned today.

The leaders of the University and College, which are in adjoining buildings in Great Horton Road, want to merge in 2004 because they say it will improve their chances of bringing in cash and extra students. They are hoping to secure millions of pounds of external investment to set up the giant new-look campus.

To go ahead, the plans need the backing of the Learning and Skills Council for West Yorkshire (LSC), which is required to recommend proposals to the Government.

The LSC, which holds the purse strings for sixth forms and colleges, was holding crunch talks today to consider an independent report on the plan.

But Gary Rae, the LSC's executive manager for corporate affairs, said: "This is not a done deal.

"There is clearly a lot of work to be done. Public consultation on the proposed merger has now taken place. Further public consultation will take place on the naming of any proposed new institution.

"Although the University and the College have agreed to a merger, it is still subject to the necessary due diligence."

The LSC commissioned independent consultant Dr Terry Melia, a former Chief Inspector of Further Education, to draw up a report on the merger. That is understood to have raised a number of questions.

It has been submitted to both institutions and to the Department for Education and Skills.

"The council of the Learning and Skills Council for West Yorkshire will consider a business proposal from the two institutions," Mr Rae said.

The council will reach a decision on May 19 and pass on any recommendations to the Secretary of State on May 30.

It could be several weeks after that before the Secretary of State makes a final decision on the proposed merger - putting pressure on the published start date of 2004.

The Telegraph & Argus revealed last week how the two institutions were derided after spending £20,000 on external consultants to develop a new name, an exercise which had produced a 'top three' of Bradford University, University of Bradford and The University of Bradford.

The ruling bodies of both institutions, the College Corporation and University Council, both voted for the proposed merger, but a poll of university students last year found a majority of those responding were against.