Top study into need for 'Uni'

Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, Bill Rammell MP, and Blackburn MP Jack Straw were expected to announce the review into whether a university was needed to bolster efforts to improve higher education in East Lancashire, during a visit to Blackburn College.

Council leaders and education providers have been calling for a dedicated university to help attract more people to the area, and stop the area's brightest sparks moving on.

There are already almost 3,000 people studying university-level qualifications at East Lancashire colleges, and the Higher Education (HE) Consortium has added an extra 215 places from September next year

The review follows moves by all five of the area's HE colleges: Accrington and Rossendale College, Blackburn College, Burnley College, Nelson and Colne College, and St Mary's College, Blackburn, to work together to prevent students finishing their education elsewhere.

Among those delighted the review was underway was Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Kate Hollern, who said a centre of educational excellence would not only boost the economy, but stop the continued exodus of East Lancashire students.

She said: "This review of higher education in East Lancashire is excellent news as it is widely recognised there is a void to be filled. If something is not done we will continue to see young people move away from the area, which is not good both socially and economically."

It is the latest shot in the arm for education provision in East Lancashire.

In July, Blackburn College unveiled plans for a £35million revamp to transform it into a 'world-class campus' within four years. And only weeks ago it was revealed the Higher Education in East Lancashire Consortium had launched a "Stay local. Go far" brochure highlighting hundreds of post-18 courses which can be taken at each college. Under the agreement, students can move freely between the five colleges.