WINSFORD'S old gasholder site could be the starting point in an education revolution for people aged 16 and over in the town.

Vale Royal Borough Council's executive group has agreed in principle to locating a development called Winsford Learning Zone at the old gasholder site near High Street - despite the fact that the borough council does not own the land.

However, if National Grid-Transco sells the site after decontamination work is completed next year, councillors on the executive group want to locate the learning zone there.

Young people and adults from sixth form level may be able to access a variety of courses, including both vocational and academic learning.

Although the plans are in the early stages, a spokesman for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in Cheshire said that one of the options was for "the creation of a new learning centre with significant outreach and community involvement."

He added: "If the exciting vision of the learning zone can be realised then Winsford will be at the forefront of Government plans to develop learning communities.

"This is a community-led regeneration and neighbourhood renewal initiative that aims to raise skills and tackle underachievement in areas where aspirations have been traditionally low."

County councillor Tony Hooton, who worked as a teacher at Woodford Lodge High School for nearly 20 years, said: "The proposed development from the LSC offers some really interesting educational opportunities within Winsford.

"Although it is early days things are looking positive at the moment and I think it will be a really good scheme when it comes to fruition."

Clr Hooton added: "One of the things that appeals to me about the Learning Zone is that with the education proposals for age 14 and older it's the same type of thing that I was doing at Woodford Lodge when I was teaching there - there is a vocational aspect.

"But there must be a full spectrum of sixth form provision. It's not just about vocational learning, it needs to be academic as well."

A Cheshire County Council spokesman said a partnership involving the borough and county councils, LSC, Jobcentre Plus and a range of schools including Verdin and Woodford Lodge High Schools were involved in preliminary discussions about the plans.

rfraser@guardiangrp.co.uk