BORDERLINE pupils wanting to try for a place at grammar school could lose out because of changes in the rules on school admissions.

Pupils who failed the entry exam for Clitheroe Royal or Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar schools this year were allowed to list three preferences for local comprehensive schools.

It meant pupils could keep their top choices if they did not get a "selective" Grammar school place.

But government-led changes mean that, as of the admissions cycle in autumn 2005, if a selective school is considered it has to be included at the top of their preference list.

And if the child fails the entrance exam and the other two schools are prioritising first-choice candidates because they are over-subscribed, it means children could end up at schools further afield.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans is furious that borderline pupils could lose out and has written to the Education Secretary voicing his concerns.

He said: "Often their second and third choices have filled up and they are forced into schools in Accrington or elsewhere, far out of what should be a regular catchment area.

"It is a disgrace that parents and youngsters should be forced to endure this anguish.

"The system of having a second choice is clearly a sham and must be changed immediately. Ribble Valley youngsters should always have first choice for Ribble Valley schools.

"The children who are worst affected are those who are borderline for the grammar school exam.

"Those who are Einsteins will get in but parents and pupils have an agonising choice of going for the state grammar school where they want to be educated and losing out at the next best option where they could learn.

"This is the further example of spite by a government which detests grammar schools and would prefer to see them closed."

Lancashire County Council insists completed schools application forms be submitted before October 22.

Decisions are made by March 1 with appeals taking place until May.

Entrance exams for East Lancashire's two grammar schools are sat around early November.

Pupils who are successful then notify the authority and their place at other schools is handed to other 11-year-olds.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: "The purpose of the co-ordinated scheme is to ensure greater transparency and ensure equity for parents when expressing preferences.

"While the proposed scheme will result in a reduction in the number of school applications for those parents who can currently express more than one 'first preference', the system is designed to be fairer to all."