THE man masterminding the rebuilding of Manchester city centre following the IRA bomb attack is to become the new head of governors at Bolton School.

Sir Alan Cockshaw, chairman of construction company AMEC, takes over from former British Coal chairman Lord Haslam who steps down as chairman of the governors after seven years.

Sir Alan is leader of the organising committee responsible for rebuilding Manchester after last year's bombing.

Lord Haslam, the Bolton born "coal king" knighted in 1985 for his services to industry, officially retired at the Boys' Division summer prizegiving on Friday, July 4.

In his speech, Lord Haslam expressed his wish to see the school keeping its "open door policy of the first Lord Leverhulme" and claimed the school would keep its assisted places despite the scheme being scrapped by the new Labour Government.

Lord Haslam, a former pupil, said the school had launched a major appeal to keep the fund, which helps many children have a reduced cost private education.

Lord Haslam said: "To do this we shall utilise trust funds from the original Lever Scholarship Fund and donations given at the time of demise of the old direct grant scheme.

"Much hard work lies ahead but we are confident that the academic strength and social mix that is the current Bolton School will continue." Lord Haslam also congratulated the school for its 99pc A level pass rate, which put the school top of the North-west league tables.

Other people retiring from school life include nurse Shirley Parkinson, chemistry department technician Margaret O'Kane, head of art Derek De Maine, head of history Chris Eames, second master Harry Jackson and careers head Ken Openshaw.

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