TWO residents must wait to hear the outcome of their High Court fight to prevent their homes making way for the Darwen Academy.

Adrian Walker, of Redearth Street, and Thomas Brian, of Sunnybank Street, asked Mr Justice Wilkie to quash a compulsory purchase order (CPO) on their homes.

Now the judge has reserved judgment in the case and will give a written decision later. No date has yet been fixed.

The two men claim the CPO, issued by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, was made without proper public consultation and breached human rights.

They say the council and Secretary of State Hazel Blears failed to consider the duty to provide best value', arguing that the academy school on the Redearth site will cost up to £54million when Government guidance suggests academies should cost about £25million.

The academy will replace Darwen Moorland High School.