A SENIOR academic has blamed a ‘systems issue’ for delays frustrating students awaiting final grades.

About 800 students at the University Centre at Blackburn College are facing a month’s delay over results.

Having been told to expect grades on July 7, they have since been warned the delay could last two more weeks.

Professor Mike Wright, dean for academic quality at Lancaster University, which validates most Blackburn College degrees, said: “We understand that many students at the University Centre at Blackburn College are worried that they have not yet received their results and we fully sympathise with their situation.

“We have been informed a systems issue is affecting Blackburn College results and staff are working collaboratively to fix the problem as quickly as possible.”