Work of a further 230 students is being scrutinised by examination boards as Bradford Council's training crisis worsens.

So far 73 people have been told their NVQ awards are invalid and a further 80 trainees will have to do extra work.

It was revealed at last night's training sub-committee meeting that the work of a further 230 NVQ trainees at Bradford ITeC Mitre Court and Keighley Training Group was also under scrutiny.

Committee member Kris Hopkins (Con), Worth Valley said he feared it was the tip of the iceberg.

"I am very perturbed at the numbers involved and that it goes back to 1996."

The centres have been suspended by a number of examination boards while the Council's internal auditors and the Government's Qualifications and Curriculum Authority carry out a full inquiry.

Students are able to carry on working but are unable to gain their qualifications until the situation is clarified.

The crisis first came to light in the Council's Metrochange House NVQ training scheme, which is also being investigated.

Students at Metrochange House have alleged to the Telegraph & Argus that there has been a huge backlog of marking going back in some cases more than a year.

Officers told the sub-committee that the centres had been brought into line, with urgent action taken to remedy problems.

But it was agreed to put pressure on the QCA and examination boards to clarify the situation as a matter of urgency.

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