Plans for a new "super-university" in north Wales linking the two existing academic institutions in Wrexham and Bangor have been unveiled.

The governing bodies at North East Wales Institute (Newi) in Wrexham and Bangor University are considering two plans to forge even closer links.

Professor Scott: Welcomed the talks

One proposal involves the formation of an a alliance to pool resources and administrative duties between the older university on the north west coast and the more recently established Newi.

The second, more radical option is a merger, forming a new University of North Wales.

But students at Bangor University have already expressed their concern about having an institution split across twin sites 50 miles apart.

The move is seen as part of the rationalisation of higher education establishments in Wales unveiled in a 10 year strategy by Welsh Education Minister Jane Davidson.

She has said she wants to see greater collaboration between colleges and has promised more money to help higher education institutions change the way they operate.

At the moment, Newi focuses on vocational courses, while the more traditional Bangor University has had many of its departments deemed excellent in recent teaching quality assessments.

Andrew Wilson: Concerns

Newi's principal Professor Michael Scott believes there could be much to gain from a union with Bangor.

"You get two institutions working together for the whole of the region.

"It would benefit the students in terms of the studying they do and the opportunities they have."

The two institutions already share one course - in Biology with Media.

Dr David Roberts, Bangor University's registrar, agrees closer working could be an advantage.

"It makes sense to examine the options for building on that," he said.

However, Andrew Wilson, president of Bangor Students Union, said, while they welcomed institutions working together, they were also concerned about the distance involved.

"Its easier to get to Chester than it is to Wrexham, " he said.

"Our concern is for the levels of student support on both sites."