PARENTS have said they will struggle to cope with school closures due to today’s strike action.

Yesterday many parents in East Lancashire said they would have to book the day off, work from home or arrange for friends and relatives to look after their children.

Some parents have also raised concerns that their children will be missing out on vital schoolwork.

Their fears come as 75 East Lancashire schools notified Lancashire County Council they will either close fully or partially open because staff are striking over proposed pension changes.

Others, such as Alder Grange Community and Technology School and Haslingden High School, have told parents through letters or via the school’s website they will be affected, rather than notify the council.

In Blackburn with Darwen only eight of the 73 schools will be open and three partial closures.

The schools that will open in the borough are Belmont Primary School, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Primary School, Blackburn, St James, Darwen, St Bede’s High School, Blackburn, Tauheedul Islam Girls School, Ashworth Nursery School, Longshaw Nursery School, Turncroft Nursery School.

Blackburn College has also announced it will be closing but will be writing to individual students if they will miss lectures or seminars due to the strike.

Teachers and lecturers in the ATL, NUT and UCU unions ballotted for action over changes to the pensions scheme which would see them work longer and pay more into the scheme.

Parent Nicola Darby, 40, from Blackburn, said: “My eldest child, who is in a special school will be off school today. "The strikes ruin children’s education and when a school shuts it causes problems for parents whether they are working or not.

“Many parents are going to find today difficult.”

Donna Murphy, 28, from Blackburn, said: “I am on maternity leave so the school closures today won’t affect me. "But if I was back at work it would make today difficult, not impossible. It is going to be difficult for many parents.”