A NEW life awaits the former Hornby High School after 18 months of standing empty.

The Brethren Christian Fellowship has been given the green light by Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove to open a new facility at the site, which closed in summer 2009 as a result of low pupil numbers and poor examination results.

The plan was hatched after the organisation outgrew the Whinfield School in Leyland.

It is believed that Hornby is a better location for pupils who come from Lancaster and Preston.

The new school, which would be known as Hornby Park School, could open as early as September.

It would see about 80 pupils aged between seven and 18 being taught there.

The local community, though, remains is in the dark about what is proposed according to Sam Ashton, who is chairman of Hornby and Farleton Parish Council.

“We are all bursting with curiosity and would like to hear more information about what they are proposing,” he said.

“There is nothing worse than rumours flying around.”

“It is difficult to give a definitive opinion until we know more, and we would hope to hear from the fellowship so that we would be able to discuss it at our next meeting in April.

"Certainly there is no sense of alarm or distress at the prospect of the building becoming a school again.”

David Morris, who was elected as MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale in May 2010, had previously asked Mr Gove to refuse to sell the site to give time to find a way to re-open the school.

“I am delighted that Hornby will re-open its doors,” said Mr Morris.

“In my opinion the school should never have closed.

"Once again young people will be able to be educated at Hornby.”

Mr Morris is in discussions with the Brethren about opening the school under the Government’s Free Schools initiative.

“I would like to thank Michael for his help in bringing this good news to the community,” he said.

Hornby High School, the smallest in Lancashire, was closed by Lancashire County Council despite overwhelming public support to save it.

There were more than 2,000 consultations received in support of the school remaining open.