The principal of a sixth form college has stepped down after a disagreement on the way its budget is spent.

Brian Derbyshire, 61, had planned to stay at Haywards Heath Sixth Form College until his retirement in four years.

But now he will take early retirement so a new head can bring in plans by the College Corporation with which he does not agree.

Mr Derbyshire said he had wanted to give priority to spending on staff and teaching equipment.

Governors running the College Corporation, however, want to spend on maintaining and improving the school buildings.

Mr Derbyshire said: "It is a matter of sadness to me, but it is something that I have got to get used to.

"I would have been leaving at 65 and I would have liked to have been able to do that.

"During the past year differences have emerged between the College Corporation and myself about the financial strategies the college should now adopt to maintain its present quality.

"I wish to stress the corporation and I are in total agreement on our ultimate goal of providing the highest possible standard of 16-plus education for the community we serve.

"The differences between us are about the priorities we should observe in maintaining that quality at a time when, by general agreement, sixth form colleges have been over-squeezed financially."

The corporation praised Mr Derbyshire's work but said a new principal was needed to see in the changes.

Corporation chairman Robin Towns said: "The corporation is of the view it would be in the best interests of the college if a principal were to be in place both before those changes impact on the college and for a reasonable period afterwards in order to see those changes through to completion.

"Mr Derbyshire's normal retirement date may not allow that last consideration to be achieved."

Mr Derbyshire, of Southdown Park, Haywards Heath, has been principal since 1982. He will step down on December 31.

An acting principal will be appointed while the corporation looks for a replacement for Mr Derbyshire.