TODAY, following a Daily Echo campaign which reached as far as Parliament, Winchester celebrates the news that the city's greatest son has been saved from the dustbin of history.

Thanks to support from many high profile figures, A-level bosses have performed a remarkable U-turn over King Alfred the Great. To mark the momentous occasion, a younger version of King Alfred took to the streets. Our latterday Alfred visited the famous statue which keeps watch over the city the great king made his capital.

Last month two out of three A-Level exam boards announced that they were going to ditch Alfred and 600 years of Anglo-Saxon history from the exam syllabus.

But, after a furious reaction in the city, Winchester's MP Mark Oaten tabled a motion in the House of Commons urging the exam boards to think again.

The motion was signed by 18 other MPs - and that led to intervention by education secretary David Blunkett. He immediately ordered an inquiry into the subject.

The Earl of Wessex and Marquess of Bath also lent their support to the Daily Echo's campaign.

Oxford and Cambridge and RSA exam boards have now reversed their original decision to scrap Anglo-Saxon history.

Board spokesman Quentin Langley said: "When we initially submitted our plans for the syllabus, we did not know that the other exam boards were also planning to drop Anglo-Saxon history.

"Although only a small number of schools took this option, those that did were quite passionate about it.

"Therefore we reversed our decision and students taking our exams will again be able to study history from 300 AD to 1500."

Mr Blunkett has welcomed the news of the U-turn. He said: "I am pleased that the Oxford and Cambridge board has reversed its earlier decision.

"It was clearly wrong to deprive A-level students of the opportunity of studying and being examined in 600 years of English history simply because no exam board was prepared to offer the option. I am glad that the boards have recognised their responsibility to ensure that all their decisions are educationally sound as well as commercially sensible."

Mr Oaten said: "Congratulations to the Daily Echo for running such a great campaign.

"I'm pleased that David Blunkett has supported the campaign to keep this important part of history in A-level exams.''

He added: "Winchester should be proud that it is still part of the national syllabus."

Winchester mayor Allan Mitchell said: "I'm naturally delighted for Winchester in view of the excavations going on at the moment.

"So much of Winchester is bound up with the activities of King Alfred. It's important sixth formers understand Anglo-Saxon history in the context of later historical developments."

Canon Keith Walker, canon librarian of the city's cathedral said: "I'm so pleased, because Alfred was a quintessential Englishman and this news only enhances our celebrations of the 1100th anniversary of his death this October."

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