PARENTS have the chance to fire questions at senior education chiefs and county councillors at face-to-face meetings in the coming weeks.

The local education authority has issued an invitation to anyone who wants to know more about the issues surrounding their children's education to go along to Alder Grange High School, Rawtenstall, on Monday between 5.45pm and 7pm.

Top of the agenda will be Lancashire's performance during the recent Ofsted inspection. There will also be the chance to put questions to a panel -- and if officers don't have the ready answer, they are promising a quick written response. Similar education talk-ins are being held in other parts of the county, including:

May 17 at Ribblesdale High School, Clitheroe; May 22 at Hollins High, Accrington; June 8 at Gawthorpe High School, Burnley; June 12 at Edge End High, Nelson.

Chairman of Lancashire's education and cultural services committee Hazel Harding said: "This is a very important invitation for anyone who wants to have their say about how the education authority works for the benefit of our schools.

"We have just had a very successful Ofsted inspection, placing us with the very best performing authorities in the country, but I recognise that no matter how impressive our results, there are always ways we can improve and the best suggestions often come from parents and teachers."