A MOTHER today thanked supporters of a campaign to get her son into the high school of his choice rather than one selected by education bosses.

Aaron Grimshaw has now completed one term at Norden High School -- an achievement which seemed almost impossible just six months ago.

County Hall chiefs had decided to send Aaron, of Albert Street, Rishton, to Moorhead High School in Accrington, four miles away from his home, which is just around the corner from Norden High.

His mum immediately launched a campaign to get Aaron into the school all his friends from Rishton Methodist School were told they could attend, claiming the prospect of going to Moorhead was 'destroying him.'

County Council education bosses initially rejected an appeal from Joanne to reconsider their decision but they backtracked when the Local Government Ombudsman demanded an independent panel determine where Aaron should be educated.

Today, Joanne said: "You wouldn't believe the difference it has made to Aaron.

"He was a shadow of himself when he thought he was going to Moorhead because it meant leaving all his friends behind.

"It may seem strange that going to a certain school means so much to someone but Aaron absolutely loves it.

"He has settled in without a problem and is joining in with the after school activities and now plays in the football team."