A SENIOR official at Colchester Insistute is to become interim principal of Braintree College.

Current principal David Mason, is leaving on July 31 after steering the college through the early stages of its merger with the Institute.

Jim Addison, currently director of development and operations at the Colchester college, will replace him on August 1, and a temporary measure until the merger is completed.

Preparations for the merger are said to be progressing well, with the two institutions expected to come together on January 1, 2010. The merger plan was put out to public consultation in April, and the deadline for comments was May 26.

Mr Mason has already promised the merger will increase in the range and level of qualifications on offer at Braintree.

Danny Clough, principal and chief executive of Colchester Institute, said: “Colchester Institute retains a vision of a continuing further education presence in Braintree, with a decent range of courses and programmes.”