YOUNGSTERS who have to put up with prolonged sickness, psychological problems or even teenage pregnancy have enormous hurdles to clear to catch up with fit colleagues in adult life.

As well as suffering trauma and pain they are likely to have missed large chunks of schooling that can easily leave them educationally handicapped.

Add to this group children whose schooling is severely disrupted because of exclusion or the fact that their parents have chosen to be travellers and it's easy to see how useful the virtual school being piloted by Lancashire County Council could be.

Pupils will use computers to access on-line tutoring where they will actually be able to see their personal teacher thanks to web cameras and interactive software.

The scheme makes use of the sort of techniques pioneered over the years by the Open University and the 'bush schools' of the air in remote, rural communities of Australia and it is emphasised that it is not designed to replace schools.

Instead it will fill in gaps in education including, for example, those experienced by Ribble Valley children forced to stay at their farm homes during the recent foot and mouth emergency.

The aim is to maximise every youngster's education and is an ideal complement to pursuing those parents who allow their children to stay off school.