YOUNG people across East Lancashire are being encouraged to go to university as part of a national roadshow.

The Aimhigher roadshow, which visits Blackburn College today, encourages people from deprived backgrounds with little or no family experience of higher education to take the plunge.

Now in its fourth year, the Royal Bank of Scotland supported roadshow gives students the chance to learn facts about changes to university fees and financial support due to be implemented next year.

Staff on board a state-of-the-art education trailer will advise year 12 pupils on the financial help available to go on to higher education. These include variable fees of up to £3,000, but also the ending of upfront tuition fee payments and greater support for those from lower income families.

In addition to receiving information on the specific 2006 changes to funding, students will also be given advice on budgeting and money matters by student finance experts from the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Financial adviser Taz Ali said: "It is important that young people prepare themselves financially for university life.

"There is a wide range of financial support available, no matter what your background is, and the roadshow helps by increasing awareness of all the available options."

Kim Howells, Minister for Higher Education, said: "Aimhigher is one of the ways in which young people can learn what financial support the Government provides to help them to study at university. It is an excellent way of countering the scare stories about debt and harsh repayments.

"Students need the facts and Aimhigher will provide them. It will explain that students and their parents will not be burdened by having to pay fees upfront at the beginning of their courses, or by heavy commercial repayment contracts at the end.

"They will only start repaying Government loans when they can afford to do so and on very fair rates.

"Aimhigher is playing a vital part in giving students from all parts of society the confidence to enjoy Higher Education and the great benefits it brings."

The roadshow was due to be at Blackburn College from 9am today.