AN ACCRINGTON high school is close to raising the £50,000 it needs to support its bid to become a specialist sports college.

Moorhead High launched its bid for specialist status last year.

At a special event in October actress and former pupil Mina Anwar, known for her role alongside Rowan Atkinson in the TV programme The Thin Blue Line', urged people to "get their money out" and support the school in raising the £50,000 needed for the Government to accept the bid.

Today headteacher Andrew Bateman said they were just a few thousand pounds away, adding: "We have nearly succeeded in fund-raising for the bid. We have had support from community groups and businesses and are tremendously grateful.

"The standards of achievement from students has increased so much recently and this is reflected in the community's confidence in the school."

The deadline for the bid is Wednesday, March 8 and a decision is expected by June.

If it is successful the Department of Education and Skills will then give the school a further £100,000 to spend on sports facilities, which the community will be able to use.