PARENTS are turning their backs on a trouble-hit school in Burnley, according to new research by Lancashire County Council.

Under-fire Hameldon Community College, in Byron Street, is a first-choice option for fewer than 100 youngsters across the borough Each year the parents of Year Six students are asked to pick at least three establishments where they would like to send their son, or daughter, for secondary education.

Burnley Council leader Gordon Birtwistle says that, before Hameldon was created, Ivy Bank and Habergham High Schools could expect to attract around 600 such applications each.

An education leader has confirmed the findings, but vowed that everything possible is being done to address the issues which have emerged at Hameldon.

Hundreds of pupils stayed away this week following a racist incident a week ago, which saw two Asian youngsters attacked by intruders. Coun Birtwistle says attendance at Hameldon dropped to as low as 120 pupils by Wednesday, when the school broke up for the Christmas holidays.

He said: "The county council has got to be realistic and take responsibility for this - and take actions that will solve these problems. Before Hameldon, Habergham and Ivy Bank could expect around 600 first preferences each. Now Hameldon are not even getting 100. It is no good sitting back and pretending these problems don't exist. They think they will go away, but they won't."

The council leader says people in his ward are sending their sons and daughters to Clitheroe Grammar; St Christopher's, in Accrington; or schools in Rossendale.

"They are bailing out and this is not a good sign," he added.

Coun Marcus Johnstone, county council cabinet member for education, said the figures for the number of first preferences at Hameldon were correct.

But he said it was little wonder that Hameldon, "which has attracted a lot of bad publicity in recent months", is not proving popular with parents.

"As we make improvements to the school people will have greater confidence in Hameldon," he said.

Coun Johnstone also said that historically a number of pupils had always been sent to schools outside the borough.

Coun Johnstone said around £100,000 was being invested in Hameldon to address various issues there, and a series of meetings had taken place to plan for the future.