RACIST behaviour in East Lancashire schools has dropped in the last three years according to students.

Year Six, Year Nine and Year 11 pupils from across the region completed questionnaires for Lancashire County Council which reveal a decrease in racism in schools since 2012.

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The surveys, which were completed during the last academic year, show that 86 per cent of Year Nine pupils are positive about a lack of racist behaviour, an increase of four per cent, while 84 per cent of Year 11 students said the same, an improvement by two per cent.

The survey also showed that 95 per cent of Year Six pupils are positive about the reduction of racism in schools.

The figures are set to be presented at a meeting of the Lancashire Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) on Monday.

Youngsters from both year groups also reported an increase in schools helping them to understand and learn about other cultures.

Abdul Qureshi, the chairman of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, said: "This is a good step in the right direction but there is more work still to be done.

"There are aspects of racism that is decreasing but other aspects such as hatred towards Muslims is increasing.

"If the figures mirror the reality in schools then this is definitely good news."

The data also shows a rise in attainment in religious education in the county in Key Stage One, Key Stage Two and Key Stage Three.

The number of students completing the subject as a GCSE has also risen to 61 per cent.

The levels of attainment in the region's schools remained above the national average, with 75 per cent gaining a GCSE at grade A*-C, compared to 71 per cent nationally.

Writing in the report a council spokesman said: "The rising trend in attainment in RE has continued across all key stages.

"Pupil's views about work on other cultures and dealing with racist issues are very positive."

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson welcomed the figures but added that there was 'no room for complacency'.

He said: "I know that schools in Pendle are working incredibly hard to eradicate racism and these figures are certainly a step in the right direction.

"However this is clearly a lot of work still to do."