A TOWN centre college will close its doors next year after struggling to make enough money to survive.

The New College Basildon Studio School, in Great Oaks, Basildon, has withdrawn course offers for all students meant to start in September 2017.

Current students will be able to continue with their courses until summer 2018.

Bosses told the Echo the college - which lost sponsorship from Seevic College, in Thundersley, after being branded inadequate by Ofsted - is “no longer economically viable.”

Mitchell Aldem, 15, from Billericay, was due to begin studying health and social care.

He chose New Campus Basildon, which offers vocational courses for youngsters aged 14 to 19, due to its small class sizes.

His mum, Sharan, 45, said: “We went to an open evening and he filled in all the forms to apply and got an interview.

“We had a letter from them before Christmas offering him a place and then we got a new one on Saturday saying the place had been withdrawn. I didn’t know they could do that.

“Mitchell has Type One diabetes, anxiety and depression so we thought he would be able to cope better in the environment at New Campus Basildon.

“Now we will have to try and find him a space at another college, and we haven’t got long.

The letter sent to prospective students, signed by centre coordinator Jennifer Weston, read: “Thank you for your recent application to NCB Studio School.

“It is with regret I write to inform you that, due to a change in circumstances, NCB Studio School will not be taking any new admission in September 2017.

“As a result, any offer to you has been withdrawn.

“We advise you start your search for a new course immediately.

“We wish you well in your search for a new course and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Legally, teenagers now have to stay in education or training until they are 18.

A spokesman for the college said: “We are in negotiation with the Department of Education for Essex, the Regional School Commissioner’s office and the Education Funding Agency to seek a closure of New Campus Basildon Studio School in August 2018 as the school is no longer economically viable.”