A BURNLEY school is asking people to back its renewed bid to become a specialist centre for the performing arts.

Towneley High School made a bid to become a specialist college for the performing arts last year, but failed after a sponsor who was set to provide most of the £50,000 needed backed out.

If the new bid is successful the school will be kitted out with state of the art recording, drama and dance facilities which will be made available to the public.

Headteacher David Hinks said that becoming a specialist school would mean an extra £500,000 for Towneley, a third of which would be spent in the community.

Mr Hinks said: "To say we were disappointed last year is an understatement, because we thought we had a sponsor who would provide the money.

"Apparently the sponsor, who was always anonymous, wanted to have a choice of schools. We were put forward as one school because there are very few sponsors for the arts, but the sponsor chose another school."

Now the school is set to launch a second bid and is asking people in Burnley to help them realise their dream.

But the school is prevented from applying for public money from bodies such as the National Lottery, so is forced to look for funds from the private sector or donations from members of the public.

Mr Hinks said: "If everybody in Burnley gave us £1 we would crack it easily. We will accept anything, we are not proud.

"To be recognised as a specialist college in performing arts would be good for the school, obviously, because we get more facilities.

"But it would also be good for the whole of Burnley because everything we get has to be made available to the community.

"Anyone can donate or get involved as long as it is not not public money.

"It cannot be from anything that comes from the public purse and has got to come from private individuals or firms."