BURY Grammar Girls and Boys schools have been selected by the Ogden Trust to offer bursaries to academically gifted pupils from next September.

The two schools join a small elite of just 24 other leading independent schools in the national scheme which is designed to enable bright children from families which could otherwise not afford fees, to attend the top schools in the country.

The Bury schools were chosen by the Trust because of their excellent examinations record, range of extra-curricular activities and their commitment to welcoming pupils at 11+ from State primary schools. The headteachers of the Boys and Girls schools, Mr Keith Richards and Miss Caroline Thompson, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for children in Bury and its neighbouring areas. There are many parents who know their children are intelligent and who would love to have them educated in the independent sector but who, since the Government's abolition of the Assisted Places Scheme, have felt they cannot afford to do so."

The Ogden Trust bursaries provide not only up to 100 per cent fee remission but also, where necessary, assistance with uniform and travel costs. They were initiated last year by Dr Peter Ogden who grew up in Oxford and who founded the computer services company, Computacenter.

Parents who would like to give the opportunity to sit the Bury Grammar Schools' 11 plus entrance examinations in January are urged to contact the schools for a prospectus and further details as soon as possible.