MARK Perks, former town mayor of Horwich, has criticised Bolton Council's decision to change the name of Stocks Park School to Lever Park School.

Mr Perks claims it is part of an attempt to cover up a series of controversial decisions councillors have made in recent months beginning with the decision to amalgamate the school with Lostock Special School this summer, despite objections from some parents, teachers and unions.

Mr Perks said the council then came under fire in September because the new classrooms were not in place after the holidays.

"This was compounded by a series of complaints from nearby residents who found the portable cabin classrooms sited too near their homes," said Mr Perks. And he reckons that the council could do with a few geography lessons.

"Whichever councillor or official gave the new name could do with looking at a map of Horwich.

"Lever Park is a good mile away and no doubt some unsuspecting pupil or visitor could be forgiven for having difficulty in understanding this latest piece of council logic when studying the school's history."

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