FIVE East Lancashire high schools have secured massive cash boosts by becoming specialist colleges.

Norden High, in Rishton, Rhyddings High, Oswaldtwistle, Fearns County High, Stacksteads, and both high schools in Longridge were awarded a new status.

It means an injection of up to £750,000 for each to provide specialist facilities.

To bid for the status, each had to raise £50,000 in business sponsorship.

At Rhyddings High, which has benefited from more than £1million in recent redevelopments, the money will establish a business and enterprise college.

Headteacher Barry Burke said they made the target at the "eleventh hour" after an appeal, with generous donations from Darwen-based business Bestways Holdings.

"In Hyndburn it is very difficult to generate money and despite mountains of effort we had only reached the half way mark when the DfES deadline approached," he said. "And then as a saving grace, the managing director Anwar Parvez finally got in touch and said we had nothing to worry about -- he would match our total.

"This is a really great community boost for Hyndburn after being the Cinderella of funding for so long. It will act as a major force for change".

Norden and Fearns High schools will become sports colleges.

Longridge High School will become Lancashire's first specialist maths and computing college.

The £100,000 grant - and £129-per-pupil for four years - will be used to relocate its maths department and build two new IT bases.

New PCs and interactive whiteboards will be fitted throughout the school.

Alan Lewis, head at Longridge High, said: "We are very pleased years of hard work and effort to try and acquire sponsorship and compile a high quality bid have finally paid off.

"Specialist status will benefit everyone in the community."

And St Cecilia's High, also in Longridge, will spend its money on new technology maths and science facilities, as well as extending its IT access. Two new science labs and a sports hall are already being built.

Headteacher Margaret Diffley said: "We are delighted four years' hard work has finally enabled the school to get this status.

"It has been a real team effort and we are grateful for all the support we have had."