A £7 MILLION sixth form centre for Hyndburn - bringing back full A-level provision for the borough - is expected to get the go-ahead within months.

The are virtually no A-level courses run in Hyndburn, but this will all change thanks to a 250-place sixth form at St Christopher’s C of E High School.

Now that 90 per cent of the funding has been granted by the government’s Learning and Skills Council and the remaing 10 percent from the Church of England is in place, planners have only one more hurdle to jump.

Following a four-week public consultion, the plans are expected to be ratified by Lancashire County Council. The centre is due to open in September 2010.

Together with plans for a similar sized sixth form at Accrington Academy, it is thought that 500 students who currently have to travel to other areas will finally be catered for.

St Christopher's headteacher Alasdair Coates said that the sixth form centre would fill a yawning gap in Hyndburn, offering around 40 A-level courses and employing about 40 staff.

The centre would include a range of facilities including science laboratories, technology workshops, a library and a gym.

The centre has won the backing of Hyndburn MP Greg Pope, and has also been welcomed by Hyndburn Borough Council leader, Coun Peter Britcliffe.

Headteacher Alasdair Coates, said: “We’re delighted to be making these proposals formally after so much talk of the demand for this facility. In the past students have had to go to Blackburn, Clitheroe or Bacup which was ridiculous. We still have one more stage to go so we’re not opening the champagne yet, but we feel positive.”

St Christopher's C of E High School have now started a four-week consultation period on the plans for their expansion, which was initially unveiled in 2004.

Mr Pope added: “This is something I back to the hilt. It is simply about diversity in education and recognising that one type of course does not suit everyone. That is why this facility will fill a gap in Hyndburn."

A public meeting on the plans will be held in the school hall at Queen’s Road West on Monday December 15 at 7pm.