Lancashire County Council is proposing to permanently expand two colleges in East Lancashire, creating an extra 300 places.

Shuttleworth College in Padiham and Unity College in Burnley will admit more students within the next five years, in order to meet the demand for places following the closure of Hameldon Community College.

A report to the council's Cabinet at its meeting on Thursday August 8 recommends approving a permanent expansion of 30 places each year from September 2020 at both institutions.

Both campuses will be expanded to allow for the extra pupils, subject to relevant planning permissions being obtained.

Extra places needed for September this year have been provided temporarily by the schools.

The colleges will then expand permanently from September 2020 through the provision of additional permanent accommodation on the existing sites.

The proposed expansion would increase the number of places for new applicants at Shuttleworth College, on Burnley Road, from 210 to 240 each year from 2020, creating an extra 150 places at the school within five years.

The number of places at Unity College, at Towneley Holmes, would increase from 240 to 270 each year, also creating an extra 150 places.

Lancashire County Council's executive director for education and children's services, Edwina Grant OBE, said: "One of our key responsibilities at the county council is making sure that there are enough school places to meet demand.

"The two colleges are already providing the extra places that are needed on a temporary basis, and cabinet will consider the recommendation to make this permanent."