PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has supported the introduction of extra Whitehall help for students entering higher education next year.

From 2008, the lower limit on family earnings, allowing students to get a full grant, has been raised to £25,000.

And the upper limit for a partial grant has been increased from £35,000 to £60,000.

All 16 year olds qualifying for an education maintenance allowance will be given a firm guarantee of the amount of financial support they will get if they choose to go on to higher education.

Graduates will also be given the chance to take a repayment break' of up to five years, to be taken at a time of their choosing.

Mr Prentice said: "This is really good news for Pendle students going on to university next year. "It is expected that a third of students will be eligible for a full grant and a further third for a partial one.

"This will help those families who need it the most and those on average incomes who are supporting children higher education."