Thousands of teenagers throughout the district are leaving home for the first time to start a new life at university or college. But what about the parents they are leaving behind? Heather Bishop talks to one Bradford mother whose youngest daughter has just left for a college place in London, leaving her home alone.

THE PHONE used to be constantly engaged, the house was cluttered and there were wet towels on the bathroom floor, but Joan Pollard misses having her daughters at home.

The single mother-of-three from Allerton has just said goodbye to her youngest daughter, Laura, 17, as she starts a course at a prestigious London theatre school, leaving her on her own for the first time in years.

"My two eldest daughters, Sarah and Joanna, have been away from home for quite a few years but Laura leaving has been the biggest wrench so far," said Joan, who works at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television in Bradford.

"She's the baby of the bunch and you suddenly feel like you've lost some of your purpose in life as a mother when the youngest has gone.

"Laura and I both shared a love of music and dance and we spent a lot of time together and were very close.

"The house suddenly seems very silent. When the girls are here the phone is always ringing, there's always somebody calling round or in the bathroom.

"I even miss the little things I used to grumble about like wet towels on the bathroom floor.

"I like my own company and I lead a very busy life, but it is strange at first.

"It takes a while to realise that I don't have to be constantly clock-watching now or rushing home to collect Laura from ballet class. I can please myself.

"There are certain little things that get to me. I'm going to see a show at the Alhambra and Laura and I would normally go together, but I'm going on my own.

"At the same time, I'm just happy that Laura has got a place at theatre school because it's something she's wanted to do since she was a child.

"When I took her down to London she was just so excited. She liked being at home and said she didn't want to leave, but she realises that she needs to be there."

Joan said she writes to Laura every day and speaks to her on the phone.

"She's only been away three weeks so she's still getting used to things," she said.

"When your children leave, you just realise how quickly time is passing. You've spent so long looking after them and then suddenly you're on your own again.

"I've been a single parent for 12 years and I've really enjoyed having the girls and watching them do different things with their lives .

"Students get a lot of support when they first go away but nobody thinks about their parents."

'It's difficult at first but I know London is where I want to be'

Laura Pollard, now settling into life in London, said: "I'm really loving it here but I miss home, especially my mum and my friends.

"I'm keeping busy during the week as there's so much happening at college, but weekends are when it gets to me.

"You have a bit more time to think about home but I'm making new friends, and I'm sure it will aget easier with time.

"I speak to my mum most days and she sends me cards and letters, which make me less homesick.

"I've started writing loads of letters to my friends in Bradford and my mum.

"It wasn't sad when I first came down to London because it was like going on holiday, and it was a few days before it hit me that I'd left home. It was a lot worse for mum because I'm the youngest our of my three sisters and the last one to leave

"I know she misses me a lot but she'll probably get used to it in a few months.

"We used to spend a lot of time together because of my dancing and we like to go and watch shows together. I know she'll miss taking me to the theatre.

"It's my eighteenth birthday in a few weeks and I'm really looking forward to going home and seeing everyone again.

"It is difficult at first but I know London is where I need to be. College is hard work but it's something I know I want to do.

"It is hard for parents when their children leave home because nobody really thinks about how they'll manage."

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