THE new development director at Stonyhurst College wants to make more assisted places available to local youngsters.

The college has appointed 52-year-old Mark Leslie to spearhead a drive to raise funds for major development projects.

The independent Catholic college aims to make education in the Jesuit tradition accessible to as many young people as possible.

And it wants to provide further bursaries enabling children from a wide range of backgrounds to attend.

Mark lives in Grindleton, near Clitheroe, with wife Vivien, a teacher, and their three children.

He has worked for 20 years in senior marketing positions with big brand companies, such as Cadbury, Schweppes, Prestige and Rentokil Initial.

Stonyhurst College, a Catholic co-educational boarding and day school, is run by the Jesuits.