Jobs could go in the Forest as college chiefs look to axe 70 staff across Gloucest- ershire.

Principal Greg Smith blames unprecedented cuts to further education for the decision which could see reductions of staff at the Dean campus.

College chiefs are keen to say the job cuts have nothing to do with the recent takeover and point out that they have to save £1.3 million next year and £4 million by 2014.

But the announce- ment comes the week after civic leaders in Coleford questioned if a possible move to Cinderford would threaten the future of the Five Acres college.

Around 40 of the job losses are expected to come from the planned closure of three IT training centres in Cheltenham, Glouc- ester and Tewkesbury.

But falling student numbers in some areas could see the equivalent of around 20 full-time teaching jobs go across the three main campuses. Seven non-teaching posts will also disappear.

Public service courses will move from the Forest to Gloucester this summer because of low pupil numbers. This is not expected to lead to redundancies because outdoor education courses fill the gap.

College chiefs have already met with union leaders and Mr Smith said every effort has been made to avoid compulsory redundancies among the 1,350 staff.

"Over the past 18 months we have worked to mitigate the extent of redundancies; freezing vacant posts, continuously reviewing our procurement policies, and making significant non-pay savings as well as developing other income streams," he said.

"However, the magnitude of the cuts facing the Further Education sector are such that further measures are needed."

Members of Coleford Town Council recently raised concerns that plans to build a new college at Steam Mills could be gambling with the RFDC campus which has been sold to the Homes and Communities Agency for £2.5 million on a five-year buyback deal.

They also fear Coleford could lose its leisure centre and theatre and students in outlying areas, Coleford and Lydney will have too far to travel.

Mayor Sue Merr- ikin was among those who raised concerns and Councillor David Atherley added: "I cannot think they have thought this through. I feel the financial rewards are clouding everybody's judgement."

Peter White, director of customer services and marketing at Gloucestershire College, said governors would continue to invest in the Five Acres campus.

He said: "Staying is a very real option and Greg Smith is assembling a consultative group of local stakeholders to help decide the best place for us to be."

An official for the University and College Union said: "Clearly UCU are concerned about any job losses and oppose any redundancies.

"These cuts in FE come at a particularly bad time as job losses across the public sector mean that many people may be looking to retrain or develop skills."