BLACKPOOL'S education committee has approved requests from governors at Greenlands and Warbreck High Schools to start mixing the sexes.

Parents and other bodies will be asked their views and if all goes well, both boys and girls should be admitted to the currently single-sex schools from September 2000.

The move came after parents increasingly shunned single-sex education - only 54 primary pupils made Warbreck their first choice this year against 182 places, while 154 wanted to go to Greenlands which has space for 194. By contrast mixed-sex schools are heavily over-subscribed.

In addition, Greenlands recently won special government funding to develop a performing arts centre and wants to give boys equal access. Education chairman Eddie Collett said: "Both schools have much to offer and are making exciting plans for the future.

"We can't ignore the fact that the demand for single-sex education has diminished and as a consequence the budgets at both schools has declined.

"If the schools believe admitting both boys and girls would be in the best interests of pupils, parents and staff then it is something we must consider."

Greenlands head Alison Berry added: "This is the best way forward. It's been a wonderful school as a girls' school for many years but it's time for a change in line with national trends."

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