DARRENERS reading the debate over school places in Blackburn might think it has little to do with them. On the contrary, the result will affect the ability of Darwen children to go to Darwen secondary schools.

At present, the council's policy takes into account how far children have to travel to school as well as which is the closest school. In Darwen, this means that children at the top end of Darwen Valley are given preference for Moorland and The Vale over children from the south of Blackburn, who may live closer to these schools.

The selection criteria proposed by the Tories and the Lancashire Evening Telegraph would mean this was no longer the case.

The places at Moorland and The Vale currently allocated to children from Whitehall, Spring Vale and Marsh House would be sucked up by children living in Ewood, Livesey and Higher Croft.

Darwen children would be forced to travel to whatever places might be left over elsewhere in Blackburn.

The Tories have no councillors in Darwen and don't care what happens to Darwen children. Your Darwen Labour councillors will defend Darwen's corner.

But I say to all Darreners - if you want Darwen children to go to Darwen secondary schools you must also make your voices heard in this debate.

COUNCILLOR DAVE HOLLINGS, Sudell Road, Darwen.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.