STUDENTS at a Fylde independent school have been getting a grilling as they prepare for university.

More than 100 A-level students at King Edward VII and Queen Mary School, Lytham, have been practising their interview skills ahead of their university applications.

Head of sixth form Mike Stephenson organised the mock interviews which were conducted by a 25-strong panel including doctors, solicitors, engineers and architects.

He said ad-hoc interview sessions have always been held for students, but a dedicated interview day was tried out for the first time last year. "It worked very well. This makes it more of an occasion," he said.

Interviewers included former pupils, parents of former students, one-time members of staff and employees of local companies.

"I think the interviewers themselves are often quite apprehensive when they first come but they enjoy it," said Mr Stephenson. The students were also nervous, but happy to have been interviewed, he added. "It's something they will all have to do at some stage."

To help prepare the would-be degree students, Liverpool University's admissions tutor Graham Kelly dropped in to give the youngsters some interview tips.

Jenna Rothwell, 17-year-old deputy head girl, said: "We were briefed on interview technique by Mr Kelly and this helped us to overcome our nerves. I know that many students found the interview and the feedback very helpful."

Interviewer Dominic Kay, a solicitor in Leeds, said the students were well prepared. "I think the interview helped each student to focus on their ambitions for the future," he said.