ACCRINGTON is bidding to become a university town.

Skills secretary John Denham today revealed Accrington is among a list of 27 places - and one of only four in the north west - which has registered for the New University Challenge scheme.

The town has shown early interest in bidding for funds to create a university campus, which would be one of 20 new universities that the government plans to build nationally over the next six years.

The idea has also been welcomed by Hyndburn Borough Council Leader Peter Britcliffe as a potential way to breathe new life into the town.

He said: “I think it’s a wonderful idea as it is what Pennine Lancashire as a whole is lacking - and Accrington is an ideal location for a university, beating right at the heart of Pennine Lancashire.

“I would also expect it to massively improve prosperity in Accrington creating huge social regeneration. It’s a very exciting idea.”

The three areas of the north west who have expressed an interest besides Accrington, are Wirral, Rochdale and Stockport.

The Challenge was announced by Mr Denham in March, to allow bidders for new university campuses.

Speaking in March, he said: “I want to build on the successes of the last few years which have seen new centres of higher education transforming local economies and the lives of local people.

”We must learn from these success stories and act on the growing evidence that locally based projects play a key role in helping local areas and people realise their potential.”

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce) was asked to conducted a consultation into the scheme.

Since 2003, 17 new universities across the country have opened, or had funding committed to them.

Ministers said they wanted to accelerate the pace of this development, and expect to have 20 more opened or agreed to over the next six years, which could cater for up to 10,000 students in total.