A SCHOOLS adjudicator has thrown out a bid by parents to preserve a decades-old right for their children to attend Turton High School.

For 40 years, youngsters from Belmont and Edgworth have been automatically guaranteed a place at Turton School, which is continually oversubscribed.

However, changes to Bolton Council's admissions rules, to be brought in for September 2008, removed that right, with preference being given to children with the shortest walking distance to the school.

Angry parents of youngsters from Belmont Primary School and Turton and Edgworth Primary School said this would mean their children having to travel twice as far to alternative secondary schools.

They lodged a complaint with Government adjudicator David Taylor, who attended a meeting with parents and governors from Belmont School.

Many parents emailed Mr Taylor, claiming their children would struggle to find transport to other schools.

In evidence presented to Mr Taylor, Bolton Council argued that it was reasonable for youngsters from the area to travel to Sharples School, in Astley Bridge, or Canon Slade, in Bolton.

In his report, Mr Taylor said: "Nobody could fail to be struck by the strength of community feeling which was demonstrated by this case.

"I accept there are real fears that the lack of a guaranteed place will have a significant effect on the community, especially if there are fewer families moving into the village as a result."

However, he said only two or three pupils a year would be affected because children with brothers and sisters at Turton would be allowed a place.

Despite ruling against the parents, Mr Taylor recommended that Bolton Council review its admission arrangements on a yearly basis.