CONFLICTS and global terrorism are turning students to study religious education.

And East Lancashire education and teaching professionals today welcomed the news and hoped it would put the "holistic" subject on a par with numeracy and literacy.

The September 11 strikes and Iraq war could be behind the sudden rise in teenagers taking A-levels in religious studies, headteachers said today.

Official figures for A-level results this year showed the proportion of students taking exams in religious studies was up by 13.8 per cent from 2003.

At Blackburn College, which takes students from across East Lancashire, a record 32 students studied RE at A-level this year with a 100 per cent pass rate, compared to 20 three years ago.

David Fann, Lancashire member for the National Association of Head Teachers, said students wanted to know more about world religions.

He said: "Young people are deeply affected by 9/11, terrorism and by war in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are genuinely concerned about stability in the world."

He said the increase in the number of religious studies A-level candidates probably did not mean students were becoming "more religious".

"It may reflect a genuine interest in world religion and studying why so many conflicts seem to have their roots in religious tension," he said.

Simon Eldon, 19, of Foxhill Terrace, Oswaldtwistle, said the study of holy war shed light on the September 11 atrocities. He studied RE A-level at Blackburn College.

"It made students think about Islam and how terror and violence is not part of their true beliefs," he said. "The subject was was recommended to me and I enjoyed the New Testament study and learning how similar religions are in their vision of what is right."

Muslim Anjum Anwar, who tours schools in East Lancashire increasing awareness about Islam, says the trend is positive.

"I am pleased to see an increase in the popularity in RE and hope it reaches the same status as numeracy and literacy. RE opens up debates not just about religion, but about philosophy and morality which is so important.

"It is a holistic subject as it touches on different cultures and beliefs. In East Lancashire, where there have been tensions, this is especially important."