RESIDENTS fighting plans for a multi-million pound school are taking their campaign to Downing Street.

People living near the proposed site for St Wilfrid's new high school at Feniscliffe, Blackburn, are to write to John Major urging him to intervene.

Norman Wignall, who set up an action committee to fight the scheme, said: "The feelings about this are so strong that we have decided to go to the top. We know the plans are only at an early stage but we are determined to nip them in the bud before they go any further. We do realise that the letter will probably not physically reach Mr Major but we feel it is important Downing Street is aware of our fight."

Residents have produced a fact sheet detailing 16 reasons why they are against the £10 million scheme.

They include;

Playing fields becoming inaccessible to the public.

Noise from contractors as they build the school.

Local roads too narrow for excessive traffic.

Parking problems for local residents.

Lord Taylor of Blackburn, who was responsible for the purchase of Feniscliffe playing fields in the 1960s, described the plans as "sacrilege" and is furious at any suggestion of building on a recreational area.

The grant-maintained school currently occupies two sites but the so-called 'dream school' would mean just one building.

The plans are still at an early stage and a feasibility study will be carried out before a further decision is made.

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