PREFECTS will give a positive report of Burnley when they travel to London to take their seats in the House of Lords.

The team of 12 students from Towneley High have been invited to join the Upper House in Westminster by Lord Tony Clarke, who chaired the inquiry into last summer's disturbances.

Accompanied by head teacher David Hinks, director of networking Chris Puckett and two other teachers, they will present their upbeat assessment of the town to Lord Clarke and other peers on February 11.

Chris commented: "The kids are as impressed by Lord Clarke as he was with them when he visited the school. They think he is as straight as a dye.

"He has arranged for them to talk to him and the other Lords about the school and it's role in the community at the House of Lords."

Lord Clarke will make a return visit to the school later in the year to hand out prizes at the annual awards evening.

Chris added: "He has become a very good friend of the school and this will help cement the relationship between us."

As well as seeing Westminster, the youngsters will visit the Hard Rock Cafe, have an evening ride on the London Eye, spend a night at the Regent Palace Hotel, Piccadilly and see other attractions in the capital.

Lord Clarke commented: "One of my happier experiences during those four months in Burnley was to meet such enthusiastic and very forthcoming group of youngsters.

"I talked to them without any teachers or other members of the task force present and they were very kind in answering my questions."

Lord Clarke said he was most impressed by the way in which the senior team of prefects had accepted the responsibility for matters of school discipline.

He added: "They were very positive about the future and what they intend to do with their lives. All are confident they will gain employment after going on to further study."

He said colleagues in the House were looking forward to meeting the Burnley youngsters.