THE Government wants to see half of all youngsters going to university by 2010.

And it is concentrating its campaign on teenagers from families and communities who do not have a tradition of entering higher education.

Aimhigher is a new three-year project which will provide information to young people aged 13 to 19 about the benefits of carrying on with their learning beyond school instead of going straight into a job.

It will also offer help on how to get the right financial support -- vital to youngsters who come from a disadvantaged background -- as well as piloting new forms of cash help for bright young people from poor families.

When Aimhigher specialists visited Darwen last week they made the point that behind England's World Cup soccer team there was another team who all had higher education qualifications -- including technical director, media relations officer and head of national football development.

Aimhigher roadshows like the one which visited East Lancashire are travelling around the country as the Government pumps £190million into increasing the number of disadvantaged young people entering higher education.

For more details on the Aimhigher campaign visit www.dfes.gov.uk/aimhigher or call 06700002288.