The future of Bradford's cash-strapped university could rest in a merger with the district's largest college as funding dries up for further and higher education.

The possibility of a merger has been set out by Professor Colin Bell, who will become the university's vice-chancellor in the summer. Prof Bell fears that Government plans to bring in tuition fees for students will not inject the money required to sustain the quality of British universities.

He also predicts that proposals to abolish student grants will adversely affect the number of undergraduates entering higher education because of the expense and that other ways of funding the system and attracting students will be required.

Prof Bell has already recognised the importance of close links with Bradford and Ilkley Community College (BICC), based next door to the university.

"Universities are beginning to crumble at the edges," he said. "I think we will see in the future most institutions taking the regional situation a lot more seriously.

"We will need more partnerships with industry and we will need to work more closely with neighbouring institutions.

Prof Bell said he would be pressing for closer ties with the college, including running more services together to eliminate competition. "Initially, I expect the outcome to be well short of a merger, then we might have discussions about changing the relationship further," he said. "The relationship now is close but it could be much closer. "

But Leslie Brown, director of human resources at BICC, said: "I am sure the new vice-chancellor will be talking to the college principal about these ideas.

"But there are no plans for a merger. People are crystal ball gazing. They may be looking to the future but it is essentially speculation.

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