HISTORY LESSON: Founded in 1925 by an order of French missionary priests, the Marist Fathers.

The original location was 36 Shear Bank Road, the current residence of the Marist Fathers, who remain trustees of the college and who still have a pastoral role. The college moved to its present site in 1930 and served the Roman Catholic community as a boys' grammar school until educational reorganisation in 1978, when it became a co-educational sixth-form college. Our mission statement emphasises our commitment to provide challenging, high-quality post-16 education in a caring Christian community. Since its incorporation into the FE sector in 1993 the college has broadened its curriculum to include new A and AS levels, GNVQs and BTEC courses and has become increasingly involved with local communities.

HOW MANY STUDENTS? 900 aged 16-19 and a growing adult and degree provision in evening classes.

OUT AND ABOUT: Extensive programme. Wide range of sports, drama, dance, music, media activities, computing, sports leadership, charity events, Duke of Edinburgh and debating clubs.

SOMETHING TO BRAG ABOUT: Later this year we will open our £1million multi-media centre. It will be state-of-the-art and house the latest equipment for IT and media students and will be in constant use for day and evening courses.

STAR PUPILS: Former students include Hyndburn MP Greg Pope and former Conservative MP Ken Hargreaves. Two England football internationals, Mick Duxbury of Manchester United and Brian Miller, former player and manager of Burnley, plus John Waddington of Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers and Mark Brennan, an England under-21 captain. Anna Newell is an England netball international. Professor of Law at the University of Central Lancashire is Richard Taylor. Andrea Stevens was a lead in West Side Story in the West End; Ed Waters has appeared in Midsomer Murders with John Nettles.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH A £100,000 WINDFALL? St Mary's is a Centre of Excellence for music and has a long tradition of staging musical and concerts. We would use the money to supplement our plans for a performing arts theatre.