Harrogate colleges are moving towards online teaching as the government closes schools over the coronavirus outbreak.

Both Harrogate College and Ashville College will be closed from tomorrow at 3pm but they have both been working on "contingency plans."

Pupils will still be able to log onto a virtual classroom and chat online with their teachers if they have any questions.

Most will still be able to engage with their classes but some without phones or laptops may end up missing out.

It will mean that students will no longer sit A-level or GCSE exams and the government is still working out how students will be graded.

Ashville College Headmaster Richard Marshall said: “Over the last few weeks, we have been putting in place contingency plans for an enforced closure.

"It is encouraging to see the Ashville community pull together and the unstinting work of teachers, who are determined to give our pupils the best possible learning opportunities under these unprecedented circumstances."

Danny Wild, the principal at Harrogate College, said: "We are taking temporary measures to address concerns about coronavirus.

"Our priority is our staff and students and we have made the difficult but necessary decision to close Harrogate College."