BOLTON School is increasing the number of places it offers in response to record-breaking demand.

The prestigious Chorley New Road independent school is currently facing a demand for places which is at an all time high. As a result, it will add a more places in the pre-preparatory department at Beech House.

For the September term the school will add a third reception class and extra accommodation has already been prepared.

Next year the school will also expand both its boys and girls junior sections as well as lowering the entry age for able youngsters.

From September 2002 children will be allowed to enter from the age of seven upwards, instead of the previous eight-years-old.

The school, founded by the first Lord Leverhulme, is also seeing an increase in demand for its senior school and sixth form and further places have been made available.

School management suggest their impressive record of GCSE and A Level results -- most pupils take 10 GCSEs and 99 per cent achieve A to C grades -- may lie behind the increase in demand.

Girls' Division head Jane Panton said: "The number of students applying for places in the sixth form is a tribute to our academic success and the quality of our teaching."

To illustrate this the school highlights its range of modern sports and arts facilities.