Organisers of a controversial visit by a creationist to a Fylde Coast school say they're keeping the location a secret to protect staff and pupils from abuse.

Geologist John Mackay, who disputes the theory of evolution and claims scientific evidence for the Biblical version of creation, will visit three local churches in May, and one secondary school the identity of which is being kept under wraps by organisers.

One worried Citizen reader contacted the paper to say: "Why is the location being kept secret? Why are parents, teachers and governors not being informed? Why is a man whose background cannot be verified being given three day access to a secondary school?"

She feared science teachers would not be properly prepared to counter Australian Mr Mackay's creationist arguments.

She added: "It's clearly a religious belief, which people are entitled to hold.

"However it's often used to undermine science, and that bothers me."

Scientists and religious groups in parts of the United States have been wrangling for some time over whether or not creationism should be taught in the classroom alongside Darwin's theory of evolution.

The Fylde Coast school in question is thought to be in Wyre.

Lancashire County Council the authority responsible for Wyre's state schools could not confirm any school visits by Mr Mackay as the Citizen went to press.

Randall Hardy, a spokesman for Mr Mackay's Creation Research organisation, blamed atrociously poor levels of journalism in the national media' for moves to keep the school's identity under wraps.

He told The Citizen: "Once a paper identifies the school, it could be very easily be inundated with inquiries from journalists who have political axes to grind."

He added: "There is a tendency in the British media not to be interested in facts when it comes to reporting on challenges to evolutionary dogma.

"Instead, there is a rush to ridicule anyone who is prepared to allow the challenges to evolution to be discussed publicly.

"You only need to look at the way schools like Emmanuel College, Gateshead, have been vilified over the last five years by one atheist after another in a collection of daily papers and TV programmes, to appreciate what I mean."

In March 2002, Emmanuel College was slammed by Oxford University genetics author, Professor Richard Dawkins, for teaching ludicrous falsehoods' because creationism was included in the curriculum.

But Fylde Coast churches believe Mr Mackay's tour will provoke healthy debate.

Paul Clemence, vicar of St John Church, Little Thornton, said the visit would be part of a regular topical discussion evening open to all.

He said: "Christian thought is enthusiastic about engaging with modern scientific hypotheses, not in an aggressive debate, but in a genuine search for truth that seeks answers."

John Mackay will visit St Annes Baptist Church, St Annes, on May 9, St Thomas Church, Blackpool on May 10, and St John's Church, Thornton on May 11. All talks start at 7.30pm.