THREE Glasgow colleges today merged into a new city 'supercollege'.

As previously reported by the Evening Times, Glasgow Clyde College was formed after Education Secretary Mike Russell gave the plan the green light.

Mr Russell gave his official consent to the merger of Anniesland, Cardonald and Langside Colleges to create a new college for Glasgow.

The move was in response to the Scottish Government's reform of post-16 education.

In all, four new colleges have been created.

Mr Russell said: "This is an exciting time for our colleges.

"The launch of these new colleges will play a central part in the Scottish Government's efforts to take education in this country from good to great.

"Today marks the culmination of enormous vision, dedication and hard work by the leaders, staff and students of the merging colleges."

Across Scotland, 12 colleges have merged to form four new institutions – Ayrshire College, Fife College, West College Scotland, and Glasgow Clyde College.

Ayrshire College was created from the amalgamation of Ayr College, the Kilwinning campus of James Watt College, and Kilmarnock College.

West College Scotland was formed by merging Clydebank College, the Inverclyde campus of James Watt College, and Reid Kerr College, in Paisley.

The four new colleges all have principals, new boards of management and are overseen by a regional lead.

Education chiefs believe the mergers mark a "major milestone in the sector's regionalisation process".

John Henderson, Chief Executive of Colleges Scotland, said: "Colleges will play an even greater role in contributing to Scotland's prosperity."

Officials said Cumbernauld and Motherwell colleges, and John Wheatley, North Glasgow and Stow colleges, are still to merge.

rebecca.gray@ eveningtimes.co.uk