THE number of students at UTC Lancashire is expected to rise more than five-fold by the end of the decade, the chairman has said.

Gareth Smith said that he expected 450 learners to based at the Burnley campus by 2020 and for 30 students to enrol on courses this September.

The prediction comes after the future of the university technology college was called into question after a House of Commons Library report revealed it only had 73 students on its books, out of a possible 800.

The report raised concerns over its financial viability.

However, Mr Smith said the figures were "outdated" and that 112 students were currently studying at the UTC, which was set up in 2013 and caters for students from across East Lancashire aged between from the ages of14 and 19.

Mr Smith said: “The figure of 800 students was also aspirational. I still think that our six-year plan to have 450 students will still be reached.

“No new educational establishment is financially viable when it is first set up, but I should stress that we are heading in the right direction.”

Blackburn-based Training 2000 has ended its sponsorship of the UTC but Mr Smith confirmed that talks were ongoing with a number of "interested national companies" to become more involved.

Changes have also been made to the senior leadership team at the UTC, with Martin Callagher stepping down as managing director.

Jacquie Petriaho and Jack Pendlebury have taken over as the principal and deputy principal respectively.

Mr Smith added: “There have been some major changes to the UTC recently and we have showcased them to Ofsted as they are inspecting us this week.

“There are a lot of positive things going on here and that will continue.

“We are absolutely determined to provide the best education for our learners.”

Concerns were raised yesterday for the future of the UTC after the publication the report by the House of Commons Library.

Cllr Gordon Birtwistle, who was Burnley’s MP when the UTC was set up, said: “I hope that it now improves."

“It has been open a few years now and not much progress has been made.

“Apprenticeships are very important to many young people and they have great facilities there to use.”