FIVE Bolton girls have broken into a "man's world" -- ending a tradition stretching back nearly 500 years.

They are among the first group of girls to be admitted into Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Blackburn.

It is the first time in the school's history that girls have been allowed into the main school -- although for the last 20 years they have been able to join the sixth form.

The Bolton five, all aged 11, are among 23 girls to become pupils at the school. They are Georgina Raseta, Victoria Turner and Lia Yates, all from Edgworth, Rosalind Grice from Lostock, and April Pilling from Bromley Cross.

Dr David Hempsall, Headmaster at QEGS, said today: "It has been a delight to welcome the girls into our school and to see them quickly begin to make their mark.

"They are blazing a trail for the girls who will follow them as the school changes to become fully co-educational."