Keighley College has been praised by Government watchdogs for improvements made over the past year.

The inspectors highlighted efforts to increase student attendance and improve the college's computer-based administration.

Two inspectors, from Ofsted and the Adult Learning Institute, spent a day at the college talking to management and students and inspecting written records.

The annual inspection followed last winter's in-depth visit by Ofsted inspectors which led to a scathing report on the college's leadership, achievements and effectiveness.

Since then major changes have included a management reshuffle, redundancies, computer system improve-ments, new courses, and advice from an outside consultant.

The college, which plans to move to a new £25 million campus in 2009, last month announced plans to merge with Park Lane College in Leeds.

Chris Moore, principal of Keighley College, said: "The inspectors recognised the progress we've made since the last inspection. Staff were able to speak confidently about our progress."

She said the curriculum had been redesigned, the col-lege's finances stabilised and information management systems improved.

Several measures had been introduced to encourage stu-dents to continue learning despite outside pressures such as lack of money or family commitments.

The college recognised it still had a long way to go, especially in improving its success rates, such as exam results at the end of courses, she added.