THE mother of a heartbroken 11-year-old boy blasted education chiefs today after he was told he would have to leave his friends behind and go to a high school out of town.

Instead of attending Norden High School in Rishton from September, Aaron Grimshaw (pictured) will face a bus ride to Accrington's Moorhead High School.

But Aaron has told his mum Joanne Swinby -- whose appeal against the Lancashire County Council decision was turned down -- that he has no intention of going to Moorhead and will boycott the school.

And Hyndburn MP Greg Pope has also intervened to join the fight to keep Aaron's education within Rishton.

Only four other children will be making the daily four-mile trip from the town to Moorhead, but Aaron's mother said he was the only one from his circle of friends being refused admission to Norden.

An independent appeals panel last week rejected a bid by Joanne, of Albert Street, Rishton, to overturn the decision, leaving her with the heartbreaking task of telling her son he will not be joining his friends from Rishton Methodist School when they move up a year in September.

Joanne said: "All of Aaron's friends are going to Norden and a lot of his friends are already there.

"We only live five minutes away from Norden so it seems absolutely stupid to make him catch a bus to Accrington every day. We didn't even put Moorhead down as one of the choices on the list."

Joanne said the uncertainty over Aaron's future had left the youngster sad and dejected. She added: "When Aaron's placement came through from Lancashire County Council, Aaron just broke down in tears and ran upstairs.

"He has vowed never to go to the school.

"He loved going to school because he was with all his friends.

"I don't know what to say to make things better for him.

"It is upsetting the whole family and has totally transformed poor Aaron."

Rishton Methodist School headteacher Daisy Hufferdine confirmed that the majority of pupils were going to Norden High but said she did not know how many were going elsewhere.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council declined to discuss the specifics of the case but added: "The review panel is totally independent of Lancashire County Council and looks at each case in merit.

"If it decides to uphold the original placement decision, then we contact the affected families to discuss what they can do next."

Mr Pope said: "I have written to the chief education officer, Chris Trinnick, expressing my dissatisfaction at the case in question.

"It seems pointless to have a high school in Rishton and then force youngsters in the village to go out of town.

"Getting to Moorhead will be very difficult for Aaron."