Plans were unveiled earlier this year to merge Fulwood High School and Arts College with Tulketh High School to create the city's first academy.

The Evening Post first revealed in June that Charles Dunstone's Carphone Warehouse firm was in talks to sponsor the new facility.

Yesterday pupils at Fulwood High School were given letters to take home, telling parents the sponsor "has now been confirmed".

The academy plan has provoked a storm of protest from teachers and parents who are concerned about corporate sponsors taking control of schools.

One union leader branded the idea "very worrying".

But today a spokesman for the mobile firm said the sponsorship cash was coming out of Charles Dunstone's own pocket, not directly from Carphone Warehouse Plc.

The letter from headteacher Kath Moss, sent to the parents of the Fulwood school's 900-plus pupils, states: "I am pleased to inform you that the sponsor for the proposed Academy at Fulwood has now been confirmed.

"Charles Dunstone, who owns Carphone Warehouse, has committed to providing the sponsorship for the academy.

"Having met with Mr Dunstone on two separate occasions, I can assure you that Mr Dunstone's motivation in supporting the academy proposal is a desire to make a contribution to the Preston community and, in particular, to the education of our young people."

The letter adds that an academy at Fulwood will bring "huge benefits" for pupils.

Mr Dunstone said in a statement: "I am delighted that we have become part of the community in Preston and this interest underpins my desire for Carphone Warehouse to support the local area and invest in the future of the city."

But the official announcement was met with more criticism from campaigners and union bosses.

Ken Cridland, the Lancashire secretary of the NUT, said: "It is a disgrace that the council is being pushed and shoved into handing its schools over to Carphone Warehouse.

"It is the worst educational idea to come out in Lancashire, frankly.

"It is one of those looney ideas which has got some sort of legitimacy because it comes from official sources.

"It is very interesting that they should send this letter out because there is no proposal for the academy yet. The formal consultation at the moment is for the reorganisation of Fulwood High School.

"Is the consultation a sham is the next question to ask."

But Coun Alan Whittaker, responsible for Lancashire County Council's schools boss, said: "The NUT have not come up with any alternatives as to what we are going to do with 1,000 surplus school places.

"I get sick and tired of Mr Cridland coming up with every story he can. Let him come up with some alternatives."

Carphone Warehouse employs 800 people at its base in Tulketh Mill.