Politicians have asked the university to retain its Dumfries presence

The institution confirmed recently it was considering leaving the site in light of �800,000-a-year losses.

Now SNP, Labour, Conservative, Green and Solidarity politicians have signed a message calling for the retention of the university's presence in the town.

They said the university was a "vital lynchpin" in both higher education and economic development for the region.

The University of Glasgow has said it has been forced to reconsider its position due to a funding shortfall.

Who signed the funding call Conservatives - MP David Mundell; MSPs Alex Fergusson, Derek Brownlee and Murray Tosh Labour - MSP Elaine Murray SNP - MSP Alasdair Morgan and candidate Michael Russell Green - MSP Chris Ballance Solidarity - MSP Rosemary Byrne

That prompted a call to the Scottish Funding Council to recognise the extra costs of running a remote campus.

The SFC insisted it remained committed to the site before it meets to consider a funding plea from the university later this week.

Now politicians across the south of Scotland have called for a resolution to the situation.

"We regard the presence of Glasgow University at the Crichton as a vital lynchpin in the development of higher education in this area and in the plans for economic regeneration of both the site and the region," said their statement.

Important asset

It added that it was a "hugely important asset" in drawing into higher education people who might otherwise miss out.

The statement also recognised the important collaborations between the University of Glasgow and other institutions and businesses.

It concluded: "We therefore call on Glasgow University and the SFC to pledge long term support for the university's operations at the Crichton and by so doing to lift any threat of closure."

The message has been sent to both the university and the SFC.