THE actions of MP Nigel Evans in raising the issues of the shortage of places at Ribble Valley secondary schools and Lancashire Education Authority's refusal to act should be applauded.

The offer by Clitheroe Royal Grammar School to provide 30 additional places for Ribble Valley children is a welcome contribution to dealing with a growing problem.

It is to be hoped that LEA will change its stance and accept the offer for what it is - a genuine attempt to help relieve the situation. The Ribble Valley Schools for Ribble Valley Children campaign commends the efforts of Mr Evans.

Last year our campaign centred on Salesbury and Mellor. This year the problem affects children in Whalley, Read, Simonstone and Billington, yet leaving uncertainty for some parents in the Wilpshire and Langho areas.

RVSRVC campaign represents those affected by the shortages, with representative parents from the affected primary schools forming a co-ordinated grouping.

The twin aims of the campaign are:

supporting the notion of allowing CRGS to increase the number of intake pupils for September 2000 by 30 Ribble Valley students

campaigning to encourage LEA to increase provision of places at Ribble Valley secondary schools in order to enable all Ribble Valley children the choice of education in the area they live, not only for next year, but also for future years.

For more information, concerned parents should initially contact their primary school for the name of their RVSRVC representative. Any Ribble Valley parents with children who attend primary schools outside of the Ribble Valley can contact the group directly on 01254 249297.

STUART FINCH, Ribble Valley Schools for Ribble Valley Children, Whalley Road, Wilpshire, Blackburn.

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