A major chunk of failed training group Carter & Carter has been sold to Newcastle College by administrators Deloitte.

However AM understands that the deal excludes its automotive training operations, including the apprentice learning division.

According to Deloitte, the sale has saved around 1,500 of the 2,200 jobs at Carter & Carter. Newcastle College has taken on the group's businesses which provide training to workers under the Government-funded 'Train to Gain' brand.

Administrator Nick Dargan said most of the remaining 700 jobs would be made redundant, although some employees will be taken on by the motor manufacturers for whom Carter & Carter had provided training.

Dargan said that training provided by parts of the group that had not been sold, such as its apprentice learning unit, would be taken back in-house by the likes of Volkswagen and Ford or transferred to other businesses.

Deloitte would not disclose how much it raised from the sale, but said the funds will be used to repay debts.