A 12-YEAR-OLD girl who has been taught at Burnley's DIY school since last September was celebrating today after winning a place at a mainstream school.

Kira Grant, of Rosegrove Lane, Burnley, was one of four remaining children at the school, in Valley Street, who could not get a place at one of their three preferred schools - Habergham, Gawthorpe and Ivy Bank.

But after a 15-month battle to get into mainstream education and an appeal against the decision, Kira was told she had been given a place at Habergham starting in Year Eight in August.

The three other DIY pupils - Daniel Newton, Megan Pollard and Kirk Gorton - will have to wait until the end of July for their appeals.

Kira's mum, Vicky Brown, said she was delighted to hear there was a place for her daughter, but said she would continue fighting for the other children who have become 'almost like family'.

She said: "We had the appeal on Monday and were really happy and relieved to hear it was all finally over. Habergham was our third choice, but we are not bothered as long as she has a place at one of the three schools nearby. It was the most amazing news as it's been a long fight.

"We've been involved in this since the beginning 15 months ago and the children have grown close. Although Kira is absolutely ecstatic she's got in, she's also upset about leaving the other three. She's convinced not all of them will get places.

"They have formed such a bond. If the others don't get places we will continue with the school until they can apply for the following year. Inspectors have said they are getting a proper education here.

"But it has given the other parents a glimmer of hope now and they feel they may also get their places now."

The DIY school was originally set up with 11 children who failed to get places at the west Burnley schools but seven of the children won places on appeal.

The remaining four continued to be taught at the school and were urged to accept places at Pendle's Mansfield High or Barden.

But the parents were adamant their children should not have to travel across the town to school.

Burnley MP Peter Pike, who has lobbied for extra government cash to end the annual problems over school places, said: "I am glad they have got a place.

"I did write to all the parents to check they had appealed. At the end of the day I am satisfied that the education the remaining children are getting at the DIY school is good but I still feel that when they get down to such a small number they need other children around them. It is good news that one of them has finally got in at a school they wanted."