THE parents behind Burnley's DIY school are today preparing to lodge their fourth appeal to get their children back into main stream education.

The group set up makeshift classrooms at the Enterprise Centre, Rossendale Road, earlier this year after they were denied places at Habergham, Ivy Bank and Gawthorpe schools.

The school was originally set up with 11 children who failed to get places at the west Burnley schools. Seven won places on appeal. The remaining four have been urged to accept places at Pendle's Mansfield High and have also been offered places at Barden.

A spokesman for the school said: "As we are moving into a new school year we are desperate to get the children back into school. We do not have the means to cope with year eight work and need to win this appeal. Because it is a new year there will be a new set of places which we are hoping the schools will take into consideration."

The appeal to education chiefs at county hall is to be lodged in May and parents are hoping it will be decided in June. The spokesman added: "We are desperate to get our children back into school but if we are not offered what we want then our fight will continue. Education bosses should be embarrassed by this situation, and want to get it sorted out before it has to go on any longer."

Burnley MP Peter Pike has already said he will push for extra government cash to end problems with places.

Burnley problems stem from oversubscription at Habergham, Gawthorpe High and Ivy Bank and undersubscription for other schools in the town.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: "There is an independent appeals system in place and if parents want any advice on the process then they should contact the education department."