Town Bets On Pupils' Future

Children in Blackpool could hit the jackpot if plans for a super casino are given the green light, according to the town's director of children's services.

Usually seen as yet another temptation to taint young minds, gambling could do more for educational attainment than 10 years of policies and programmes, David Lund argues.

"The success of our pupils is directly linked to the economic health of the town. The casino will be an integral part of shaping the children's agenda here," he says.

If Blackpool succeeds in its bid to be a site for one of the Government's new regional casinos, rewards would come in the shape of 20,000 jobs and almost £450 million a year feeding into the local economy.

And this is badly needed as most employment is linked to tourism, and as a consequence is seasonal and badly paid. In addition, social deprivation has led to a transient pupil population: in some primary schools, 60 per cent of children move every year.

The town is also a hot spot for children running away from domestic problems, and it has above-average teenage pregnancy rates.

"At the moment there is little aspiration or prospects, particularly for girls. For some, having a baby is virtually a career choice," Lund explains.

The hope is that the "Masterplan" - as the regeneration plan is known locally - will change these ingrained attitudes by offering new prospects and opportunities to young people.

But not everyone is convinced that casinos put money into the pockets of local residents. A letter in Planning (Aug 5) points out: "If a customer leaves with money to spend in the surrounding neighbourhood, something has gone wrong."