THE GOVERNMENT will decide whether to back plans for an East Lancashire university by the summer, a minister has pledged.

Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, told a private meeting of education staff at Blackburn College that the issue would be looked at in depth.

He was speaking after opening a new Centre of Vocational Excellence in Childhood Studies at the college's Blakey Moor Centre in the town centre.

Mr Rammell told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "It is a very good proposal that has been put forward here. Going through the processes that are necessary I would hope that we can work together to get a positive outcome.

"If things go to plan you might be in a position to get a decision by the summer."

Blackburn MP Jack Straw said: "It is another step in the right direction. What we are doing is planting the seeds here and I am determined that we are going to see a university.

"Meanwhile it's very important that everybody understands there is some great higher education courses going on here."

College principal Ian Clinton, who has played a key role in the university plan, said he was delighted at the news.

He said: "We want to make sure as we change to compete in a global economy that we have more graduates in East Lancashire, not less."

The centre will help students train for childcare courses.