A website used to showcase the work of budding press photographers has been closed down after the National Council for the Training of Journalists objected to its branding.

The NCTJ raised concerns that the website and Twitter feed run by the photography and journalism courses at Sheffield College used its name in their titles.

The website, www.nctjsheffield.co.uk, is understood to have been used by photographers to showcase their work to potential employers but has now been closed.

Those trying to access the website now receive a message saying “Sorry this site has been closed” but the college says it plans to relaunch the site with a new address.

The college runs journalism and photojournalism courses which are accredited by the NCTJ but the training body raised concerns that using its name on the website would be unfair to other centres.

An NCTJ spokeswoman said: “The NCTJ had concerns about the branding being used for journalism and photography courses at Sheffield College, and asked the college to rebrand the ‘NCTJ Sheffield’ and ‘NCTJ photojournalism’ website and Twitter account as Sheffield College.

“The NCTJ has another excellent centre in Sheffield (The University of Sheffield) as well as an excellent accredited photojournalism course (Up To Speed in Bournemouth).

“It would not be fair to those centres if prospective students thought that only Sheffield College delivers accredited courses because the NCTJ name is in the title.

“There is no dispute with Sheffield College, which is working to make the changes in line with our brand and promotional guidelines and terms and conditions of accreditation.”

The @NCTJphoto Twitter account is still running but its description now says: “Thoughts that have nothing to do with the home of press photography training. But Sheffield College (Norton) is the proven course for UK photojournalists.”

The photojournalism course at the college has launched the careers of some of the UK’s best press photographers.

Andrew Cropley, principal of Norton College, said: “A website for our students completing the NCTJ accredited press photography and photojournalism course was set up to showcase their work.

“The NCTJ advised us to change the name and branding of that website, which has been taken down temporarily and will be posted again soon with a new address.

“We were happy to put that right as part of our ongoing and positive working relationship with the NCTJ.”