A GROUP of Blackburn students are on the verge of making it into Britain's top universities -- despite a huge increase in demand for places.

Five students from St Mary's College have been given conditional offers to either Cambridge or Oxford University.

This year Oxbridge received a 35 per cent increase in applications from students nationwide.

But the clever quintet from St Mary's have managed to fight their way to the front of the academic queue.

Two former St Bede's pupils are among the five students celebrating.

Iain Schofield,18, has an offer to read History at Trinity Hall, Cambridge.

Kate Flanagan,18, could be off to read Economics and Management at St Hugh's College, Oxford.

Ruth Watson,17, formerly of St Christopher's High School, Accrington, has an offer to read Earth Sciences at St Anne's College, Oxford.

Fellow high school pal Christopher Lawrence,18, also has an offer to read Earth Sciences at St Anne's College, Oxford.

Richard Matthewman,17, a former St Wilfrid's C of E High School pupil, has an offer to read History at Wadham College, Oxford.