SCOTLAND'S largest teacher training college has dropped its course in Classics, claiming there is not enough interest from state schools.

Last night, teachers and opposition politicians claimed the decision to axe the course at the University of Strathclyde's Jordanhill campus would force Scottish schools to recruit Latin teachers from England and cause the subject to die out.

The Glasgow university has suspended its 2006-07 Classical Studies course because councils and the Scottish Executive will not fund places for probationer teachers.

Ministers claim there is inadequate interest in the subject despite a rise in the number of school pupils passing exams in Latin or Classical Studies, according to the latest figures.

Henry Maitles, head of the department of Curricular Studies at the University of Strathclyde, said: "We are continuing to monitor demand on a year-by-year basis and when possible, we will offer the course. This was the case this year [2005-06]."