A HEAD has hit back at critics of his school's plan to create an £8million sixth-form centre by insisting: "The people of Hyndburn are behind it."

In November, Accrington's St Christopher's CE High School announced its plans to open the sixth form saying it was vital as A-level provision in Hyndburn was virtually non-existent.

But the bid to create the centre was blasted by the heads at five of Hyndburn's six high schools who have made written objections.

They insist it could have a "destabilising and damaging effect" and lead to other colleges, such as St Mary's in Blackburn, not having enough A-level students to make some courses viable.

However, St Christopher's headteacher, Alasdair Coates, said: "We were delighted that not a single voice of opposition was raised from any individual in the borough. The majority of responses to the consultation were in favour of a sixth form for St Christopher's.

"Many people expressed how much they wished the full range of educational provision to be made available within the borough for pupils aged 16 and over. We believe that pupils are entitled to a full range of educational provision within the borough and feel that those who say 'Let them travel', to another town, such as Blackburn, have rather missed the point."

Mr Coates stressed the school had offered staff at other high schools in the borough "the opportunity to contribute to the teaching of A-levels within our new sixth form centre".

Lancashire's school organisation committee will discuss the idea in March.