GOVERNORS at Bolton Institute have launched a high profile campaign in a last ditch effort to win university status.

A massive drive is planned to influence Education Secretary David Blunkett amid fears he is about to turn down the college's long-running bid to become a university.

The campaign will start today when two staff governors travel to London to hand in a petition to Bolton's three MPs at the House of Commons. But it will really kick off at the Premier League match between Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield Wednesday, on Saturday. The date has been targeted because David Blunkett is a known Wednesday supporter.

Balloons will be released from the centre circle and sympathetic celebrity guests will be invited along to watch the match and support the campaign.

Bolton schools will also be asked to back the drive so local children can benefit from a university on their doorstep in years to come.

Bolton Institute Principal, Professor Bob Oxtoby explained: "The position is the moment is that Secretary of State, David Blunkett, is about to advise the Privy Council which makes the final decision. "We do not know for certain what he is going to say but we have heard hints that it will be no.

"We are launching this campaign in the hope of influencing David Blunkett in our favour."

Mr Oxtoby is awaiting a date for a final meeting with the Secretary of State which will allow him to put the college's case before the decision is made.

It is feared the Institute could lose out on university status because a report by the Quality Assurance Agency uncovered weaknesses in Theatre and Film Studies - which accounts for just one percent of the college's work.

Professor Oxtoby said: "We are carrying out an external re-assessment of theatre and film studies next month and we are asking him to delay a decision until this has been completed."

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