TEENAGER Matthew Thompson will start the new year without a school to go to.

And it is nothing new for the 13-year-old as he has not set foot in a school since the summer term!

His mother, Deborah, is furious and blames local education chiefs for denying him an education.

"Since moving to Bury it's been a nightmare trying to get him into a local school," said Ms Thompson of Holme Avenue, Bury.

"For four months I have been writing letters and making telephone calls but the education department do not seem to be interested. To date I have attended three appeals to get a place for him at Elton, Woodhey and Tottington high schools, but have been unsuccessful. I feel that the decisions were made before I had even arrived."

Although offers have been made of places at both Radcliffe High School and Castlebrook High School, Ms Thompson has turned them down.

"I feel I am being bullied into accepting a school out of town. With Radcliffe it would mean having to travel some distance and catching two buses."

She said: "Matthew is already having to make adjustments with starting a new life in Bury and this situation is making him very stressed and upset. I try to teach him myself, but I'm no expert. I want what is best for my son and for him to be able to make friends in his local community which is Bury, not Radcliffe or Unsworth."