SCHOOLS in Chorley remain largely unaffected by the current national teaching crisis which shows teacher numbers are nearing an all-time low.

In a week when pupils in Chorley returned to school it was also revealed some neighbouring authorities are looking abroad to realise their full number, while in other areas some heads are even being forced, out of necessity, to take on staff they consider 'sub-standard' and ask teachers to teach outside their subject.

But schools in Chorley and parts of Lancashire appear considerably better off than other parts of the country.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council's education department said: "We have not been informed of any teaching vacancies that remain unfilled, either on a permanent, temporary or supply basis.

"Our advice to schools is still to only appoint teachers of a calibre appropriate for the post to promote the highest standards of classrooms."

Blackburn with Darwen Council has announced plans to recruit teachers from Europe, while authorities in Manchester hired a number of Australian teachers last year, but Chorley has been able to avoid such measures. Brian Souter, deputy head at Southlands High School, Clover Road, Chorley, said: "Chorley isn't too bad at all and the North West isn't as bad as other regions.

"This September our school has the full number of staff -- 61.2 teachers -- and the only vacancy is for an RE teacher, which we are confident will be filled by January."

He said that vacancies for some subjects in Chorley were harder to fill, for example Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Maths are less attractive than history, geography and English.

Jean McGrath, headteacher at Parklands High School, Southport Road, Chorley, said: "Last year we recruited quite a few new teachers. This year there have been slightly fewer but we have had no real problems and are delighted with the quality of staff.

"Perhaps this is because Chorley, and indeed Lancashire, is a lovely place to work and live."