A residential centre for students with learning difficulties could remain open, it emerged tonight.

Plaxtole House, in King's Lynn, was set to close as part of a �1.6m package of cutbacks at the College of West Anglia.

But hundreds signed a petition to save the centre, which is currently used by 24 students from across Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

In a statement, the college said it was considering 'fresh proposals' from Freebridge Community Housing.

'The new proposal offers a potential solution whereby a residential facility at Plaxtole would be managed by Freebridge and a local charity which specialises in supporting vulnerable young people into independent living.

'We will now be engaging in further consultation with affected stakeholders, including parents and staff before taking a final decision, which we expect to be in late July.'