CLAIMS that two Blackpool schools will be forced to compete for pupils have been refuted by a Blackpool councillor.

Bispham Endowed CE School, Bispham Road, Bispham, and Westcliff County Infants on Crawford Avenue, Blackpool, have both decided they want full primary school status, prompting fears there will not be enough children to fill both schools.

But Councillor Eddie Collett, chairman of the council's education committee, denied the claims.

He said: "They have had an agreement that all the children from Westcliff would transfer to Bispham and that's worked very well. But it does mean parents having to make a second application at the end of infant school.

"Certainly one of the strong arguments will be that it does not inconvenience parents and it makes planning certain."

Bispham could never be sure they would get all the Westcliff children, and parents were not certain they could definitely get their children into Bispham, he said.

But a move to full primary status by both schools would not cause unhealthy competition, said Coun Collett. "One of the benefits is that the population of children in Blackpool North is growing and we do need to expand the schools," he said, adding that Kincraig school, in Bispham, had been built and several schools expanded to meet the demand for school places.

"There are plenty of children to go round. Neither of the two schools have got anything to worry about."

The head teacher of Bispham Endowed, Graeme Dow, confirmed a meeting between the two schools and parents took place this week (on April 3). He said: "We had an informal meeting with myself, Westcliff's head Sue Wilson and parents to let them know of our proposals. The parents were very supportive and I can foresee very exciting opportunities ahead for the local children.

"There will be a formal consultation in May giving members of the public a chance to offer their support or voice their concerns. If everything goes to plan and the proposals are accepted we will be able to open in September 2002."

Fleetwood is to have a new high school, it has been announced. MP Joan Humble said that following a long campaign, a one-site school has now got the go-ahead.