The disclosure today that East Lancashire lies at the bottom of a county-wide league table for educational achievement is deeply disturbing.

For behind the grim figures showing that more than a third of adults in Blackburn, Burnley, Hyndburn and Pendle have no qualifications at all lies the social tragedy of thousands of people condemned to a poorer quality of life.

For, in all but a few exceptional cases, a lack of qualifications and skills means a lifetime sentence of low income and all the attendant ills, ranging from poor housing and worse health, that come with social deprivation.

It is evident that a permanent and concerted drive is needed to raise achievement levels across the board to raise the levels of people in East Lancashire with meaningful qualifications. But this situation puts into focus why the efforts by the many bodies involved in the fight for our region's economic regeneration are so important.

For they are rightly aimed at creating better-paid jobs and raising prosperity levels - as they are the stimulants for educational improvement and achievement and, just as vital, for the retention and expansion of skills in our area.

Burnley MP Peter Pike hits the nail on the head when he says many people who do get qualifications do not stay in East Lancashire because of the lack of quality jobs. And left behind are those who end up being left behind in the opportunity for a better life.

East Lancashire faces a tremendous task in turning around this grim situation, but it must set about it with a will - and be given the resources to do so.