CREWE is set to receive a surge in the number of students attending the local university.

Whilst some universities are having difficulty in recruiting enough students, Manchester Metropolitan University in South Cheshire has enjoyed a surge of more than 10,000 applicants for entry in September 2001.

Staff at the Crewe and Alsager faculties have been amazed by the growth in the number of applications during the year.

Admissions tutor Dr Margaret Lofkin, said: "Compared to this time last year we are 30 per cent up on applications to our undergraduate degrees and well over 50 per cent on applications to our HND programmes."

As a whole the university has received more applications this year than ever before but the increase on the campuses at Crewe and Alsager has been labelled as quite remarkable.

The Dean of Faculty, Dr George Wilson said: "These figures show that we are delivering courses and opportunities that are valued. Many of our students are from the local area, including North Staffordshire, and we intend to deepen our community links in the future."