A SURVEY has shown how many young people are participating in higher education with some surprising results.

Figures show that students in the parliamentary constituency of Tatton are participating most in higher education.

That is followed by Congleton and Eddisbury which are all in the top third of participation rates in the country. The constituency of Weaver Vale, which covers the majority of Northwich, features lower down the list in the middle third.

The figures were released as part of a report by the Higher Education Funding Council for England. The report looks at young people's participation in higher education by parliamentary constituency, between 1994 and 2000.

The Tatton consistency, covering Rudheath, Barnton, Byley, Sproston, Lower Peover, Plumley, Lostock Gralam, Wincham, Allostock, Lach Dennis, Pickmere, Arley, Comberbach, Great Budworth, Anderton, Little Leigh, Whitley and Antrobus, has a participation rate of 47%. This is within the top 40 of all consistencies in the country.

Closely following is the borough of Congleton which has a participation rate of 44%. Eddisbury consistency, which covers Winsford, came in at 39%. But Weaver Vale has a participation rate of 29% for that period.

Weaver Vale MP Mike Hall says there should not be too much read into the figures. He said: 'This report is only looking into 18- and 19-year-olds going into higher education. The figures are only going to the year 2000 as well. But Weaver Vale has been put above the North West average and is approximately the national average of participation rates.

'The report does show though, as we are trying to get 50% of youngsters to university we have a lot more work to do.'

The Labour MP said that with the upcoming changes to university fees there would be more youngsters from less affluent backgrounds who would be able to go into higher education.

But Sir John Deane's College in Northwich says rising tuition fees have changed the way young people decide about a future in higher education. Tass Sgouros, Director of Student Progression Guidance at the college, said: 'The immediate impact of the decision over tuition fees has been twofold. The first trend is that there have been an increased number of students applying for universities within travelling distance of their homes - this obviously reduces costs, as students can remain at home while studying.

'Secondly, we are noticing an increasing number of students deferring the decision about higher education and where and when to study - they are not prepared to make a rushed decision without putting a lot of thought and research into choosing the right higher education.

'A contributing factor has to be the financial implications of their decision.'

Mid-Cheshire College in Hartford is the largest provider of higher education in Cheshire and Warrington. It offers foundation degrees and HNDs. Students studying at the campus can also do a one-year top-up course to achieve a full degree as the college has close links with universities across the North West.

Mark Harris, HE Co-ordinator at the college, said the figures may well have changed. He said: 'Mid-Cheshire College continues to increase its HE numbers, with the majority of students progressing from lower level college courses. Currently, we have over 150 full-time and a further 70 part-time students completing a range of HE courses, including HNCs, HNDs and Foundation degrees.'