THE number of students at Accrington Academy could be set to increase by up to 150 if extension plans are approved.

The Queens Road West school said that 'outside pressures to accept more students' prompted the bid to construct six new classrooms as part of a two-storey extension.

Recently it was revealed that the academy, which can currently take 200 pupils in each year, received 611 applications for places for this September.

The plan has been submitted to Hyndburn Council for consideration and a final decision is expected to be made later this year.

An academy spokesman said: "Since last year, we have increased our Year Seven intake by 20 students in order to meet local demand.

"By 2020, this will mean we need capacity for an extra 100 students in terms of classrooms and facilities.

"In addition, more students are staying on to join our sixth form as its success grows.

"The plans that have been submitted would give us the space we need.

"It will allow us to to handle this growth gradually and ensure we have space for everyone who needs it."

The application comes after neighbouring St Christopher's CE High School revealed that it was considering extended its sixth form to take in up to 100 more students.

In a report to the council, a spokesman for the academy, said: "It has been decided in the Autumn term 2016 an additional 20 to 25 pupils will be accepted into the complex year on year which will ultimately increase the pupil numbers by between 100 and 150 over a six year period.

"Careful consideration has been given to integrating additional classrooms into the body of the school and not an isolated unit unconnected to the main building or connected by link corridors."

The leader of Hyndburn Council has praised the academy for its efforts to accommodate more children at the site.

Cllr Miles Parkinson said: "With the success rate of the academy and the sixth form, it is good that they want to make extra space to accommodate more pupils.

"They are doing really and it can be seen with with their results

"It is a popular choice with parents as more and more children are choosing it as their first choice.

"It is great that they wan to expand to maintain the high standards."