KAYLEIGH Horrocks has one desperate wish . . . to join her friends at school - any school.

For Kayleigh, who celebrates her fifth birthday in two weeks, cannot get a place at a school within walking distance of her Farnworth home.

So she is currently reading and learning her letters at home with mum Lorraine.

The Horrocks family's plight began last January when they requested a place at St James's C E Primary School, Farnworth, where Kayleigh had attended the nursery unit.

The school, which is massively oversubscribed, rejected the request.

At an appeal in May the decision was upheld. The family was then offered an alternative place at Queen Street Primary School, Farnworth, but failed to take up the place within three weeks of the offer being made. When they wrote accepting the place had gone.

Then the family requested a place at St Peter's Church Aided School, Farnworth, which is also oversubscribed.

The request was again rejected and they lost an appeal.

So since last month, when Kayleigh's friends started school, she has been at home with her mum and baby brother.

Lorraine said: "We've been offered a place at Prestolee, but it's a one-and-a-half hour walk each way.

"I'm expecting my third child, so there's no way I can walk six hours a day.

"I rather stupidly thought Kayleigh had a right to a school place.

"I've been backwards and forwards trying to sort things out but I'm getting nowhere. She's already missed the best part of her first term. She simply can't afford to go on like this." Now, in a final bid to secure a school place for their daughter, Kayleigh's parents have been to enquire about part exchanging their house in Farnworth for one in Walkden where Lorraine knows there are primary places available.

Mr Stuart Jackson, head of student and pupil services at Bolton Council, said: "I have every sympathy with this family and we are making every effort to secure a place at a school before Christmas.

"The family's mistake was failing to respond to the authority's offer of a place at Queen Street.

"From there things didn't improve but I hope we can resolve this situation in the near future."

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