THE deputy head of a Burnley high school has voiced his disappointment after failing in a bid for specialist arts college status.

But David Franklin said everyone at Towneley High would be redoubling their efforts to put in a fresh bid.

Towneley was told in a letter from schools minister David Miliband that their bid for specialist arts college status had been unsuccessful.

A successful bid would have brought not only the kudos of specialist status but also a grant for a capital project at the school and ongoing extra resources for each pupil.

The status would also have complemented the school's £1.2m city learning centre which opened last year.

The centre, which was opened by the Secretary of State for Education, Charles Clarke, in April, provides state-of-the-art IT facilities for schools and the local community and has modern performing arts facilities.

Mr Franklin said: "We were bitterly disappointed to hear that the bid was unsuccessful, especially as we were quietly optimistic about our chances. Unfortunately it hasn't happened for us, but we will bid again because we want the best for our children."