I AGREE totally with your opinion (LET, March 31) about children being allocated to schools outside their locality, but would point out that it is not just with Blackburn schools that this is happening.

We live in Mellor, part of the Ribble Valley catchment area, but my son has been allocated a school in Hyndburn - Moorhead High School - which, according to the education authority, is apparently the only one with any places left. From St Mary's School, Mellor, there have been 10 pupils allocated places at Moorhead High.

The fact that all their parents pay council tax to Ribble Valley Council does not interest the education authority. Lancashire County Council is playing with our children's futures asking them to travel 11 miles to school, on three buses. Is it any wonder their education suffers when given this news. What have they to work for?

When developers build houses in catchment areas, they should be made to help fund extra money for the schools. No one thinks of the schools when they give planning permission for new estates.

J CAFFERTY (Mrs), St Mary's Gardens, Mellor, Blackburn.

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