UNION chiefs today called on extra cash for East Lancashire colleges.

Accrington and Rossendale College, Burnley College, Nelson and Colne College, and St Mary's College, Blackburn are among a group of North West Colleges calling for an extra £288million.

They want the funds to increase choice and opportunities for learners, to boost adult learning, further modernise pay structures and buildings and fund Education Maintenance Allowances.

Colleges, union representatives, lecturers, parents, governors and students will gather at the House of Commons on May 19 to celebrate the work of colleges and draw the government's attention to the need for adequate funding.

MPs from across the region have already pledged their support and signed an Early Day Motion backing their local college.

Now unions have joined the campaign.

Paul Mackney, General Secretary of NATFHE said: "There is a lot riding on colleges' ability to bring staff pay into the 21st century.

"New learning opportunities for young people and a skills revolution for adults can only be delivered by well-supported, motivated staff.

"We've made significant progress on pay; we mustn't let insufficient funding throw us into reverse. "

Peter Pendle, general secretary of the Association of College Managers, said: "It would be a terrible shame if we were under resourced by the Government and lost the progress that further education has made in recent years."