A NEW special needs secondary school is being planned for Burnley, it was revealed today.

It will mean that, for the first time, secondary-aged with special needs children living in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale will be able to educated within the area.

Proposals being considered by Lancashire County Council involve turning buildings at Coalclough Primary School into a 40-place school which will be specifically for youngsters which special needs so severe that it is hard for them to be educated in mainstream school places.

There are 46 pupils currently in non-county special needs schools which are funded by the council, and 17 in ones based in other local education authority areas.

Coalclough Primary School is due to close as part of a shake-up of primary school places in Burnley.

The new special needs school could open as soon as September 2004.

Initial costings of adapting the Coalclough School for its new purpose are currently being prepared.

A formal public consultation will begin this month.

A report to Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for education Alan Whittaker also notes the need to tackle provision for children with behaviour and emotional special needs in the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley areas.