DISADVANTAGED children who live in Ribble Valley and Rossendale are among those most likely to do well in later life, according to a new study.

The 'Social Mobility Index', which ranks council areas in terms of poorer children's prospects, places the two East Lancashire boroughs in the top 20 per cent in England.

The index, published by the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, rates each of England's 324 local authority areas on the chances of a poor child doing well at school and getting a good job, based on a series of measures including exam results and the local job and housing market.

It is the first piece of research to examine social mobility in detail at individual local area level.

With Ribble Valley coming 52nd nationally and Rossendale 57th, the two boroughs join Trafford, Fylde and Wyre as the leading five in the north west.

Ribble Valley MP, Nigel Evans, said he was not surprised the boroughs had done so well.

He said: "We do have a large number of disadvantaged children in the Ribble Valley and a number of them do have problems.

"But what we do have is some of the best schools in the county. We have a very high level of education right down from the excellent primary schools through to Bowland High and up to Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.

"This report shows that children don't have to come from a wealthy background to achieve success in their future lives.

"This is one of the reasons why so many people are wanting to live here because, like myself, they believe that young people are allowed to grow and step out of some of the most challenging backgrounds via the education system."

Jake Berry, Rossendale MP said: "I think this is a tribute to the fantastic commitment and work of local schools.

"We are really lucky we have really good schools in Rossendale and it shows Rossendale is one of the best places to work and bring up a family.

"It is great to see Rossendale beating places in the south and it shows the north is one of the best places to live."

Nationally, the study showed a poor child's life chances were heavily dependent on where they live.

While London and the surrounding areas are doing well in giving youngsters a decent education and the opportunity of a good job, other parts of the country, particularly coastal and industrial towns, are fast becoming entrenched social mobility 'cold spots'.