Hopes of getting an outreach college in Pewsey have been dashed after Wiltshire College pulled out of talks.

But now campaigners are going to approach Salisbury College instead.

Talks have been taking place for some time with Wiltshire College at Chippenham and Lackham about opening a centre in Pewsey.

The idea was that the college should move into the Old Coach House at the Old Rectory which is owned by Kennet District Council.

But now the college has pulled out after re-assessing the number of expected students, the parish council was told on Tuesday.

It has decided that the move is not financially viable, said Kennet's director of resources Frank Marshall .

He said planning approval for the move had been obtained and the council was happy with the college moving into the Old Coach House.

"The college would have been an ideal use," he said.

Discussions were continuing with the local education authority and with Pewsey Vale School with a view to providing evening classes in Pewsey, said Mr Marshall.

Eventually some day courses may also be provided.

Coun Anne Hayhoe, one of the leading campaigners to get college facilities in the village, said the news was disappointing.

But she vowed it was not the end of the fight.

Coun Marilyn Day, chairman of Pewsey Area Community Trust, said that now was the right time to approach Salisbury College.

Pewsey has links with Salisbury because many school leavers go to the college in Salisbury and Shak youth club also have links with the city.

The council agreed that approaches should be made to Salisbury College to see if it would be interested in opening an outreach centre in Pewsey.