EDUCATION Secretary Justine Greening visited Bridgwater and Taunton College to discuss the future of education in Sedgemoor.

Ms Greening has given her backing to plans to enhance education provision, standards and facilities across the county over the next four years.

Ms Greening met with the principal and vice-principal at Bridgwater and Taunton College and had discussed the proposal of a new University for Somerset.

"I think it is a really interesting idea that I have seen work in other parts on the country," she said.

"I was recently in Scarborough and the University of Coventry now has a satellite site there that is doing very well and sounded very similar to the concept the one being proposed in Somerset."

While in Bridgwater she also met Cllr Frances Nicholson, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for children and families, and Cllr Duncan McGinty, leader of Sedgemoor District Council.

Ms Greening said she supported the plans for education in the Conservative Group’s manifesto, which was launched by Communities Secretary Sajid Javid in Wells last week ahead of the county elections in May.

She said: "I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet Cllr Nicholson and Cllr McGinty ?in Bridgwater.

“We had a very good discussion on education and skills and I was interested to hear about the Conservative Group’s plans, which mirror the Government’s commitment to ensuring every child has the chance to go to a good, local school.”

Cllr Nicholson said: “It was fantastic to welcome Justine to Somerset and talk about our clear plan for education, just a week after Sajid Javid came to Wells and described our manifesto as one of the best he had ever seen.

“We are working with partners on a number of exciting plans, including the creation of a new university for young people and those returning to education that will provide local courses and help fill jobs in hard to recruit areas like social work and engineering."

During her visit to Somerset she also met with students and teachers at West Somerset College, which is now under the wing of the Bridgwater College Trust.