THE principal of Accrington and Rossendale College today gave her support to a Government initiative to pay students to go into post-16 education .

And Nancy Cookson urged the 60 per cent of pupils she predicts to be eligible for Education Maintenance Allowance to apply early, to avoid a backlog.

Mrs Cookson said: "We are delighted that EMAs have been extended across East Lancashire. They will be of great benefit to many people and their families in Hyndburn and Rossendale."

The grants are available for pupils with parents earning less than £30,000 and can apply for weekly pay-outs of between £10 and £30 to help with the cost of study.

She added: "We estimate that around 60 per cent of our full-time students will be eligible for some level of payment under the scheme and am sure it will improve attendance and enable more young people to complete their course - many young people drop out because of financial difficulties.

"We expect there to be quite a backlog of claims so would urge students to apply as soon as possible so they are in receipt of payments for the start of their courses."