THE former East Lancs Paper Mill is to become the site for a £15 million high school.

It was celebrations all round at Radcliffe High and Coney Green Technology College when the Department of Education and Skills informed Bury Council that it was "all systems go" for the project.

Pupils will play a leading role in the new development by coming up with a name, logo and badge for the school.

The green light was given when the Government pledged £5million towards the cost of the scheme. Bury Council plans to raise the rest of the funds through the sale of the two existing high school sites on Abden Street and Spring Lane and other funding sources.

The two schools have been running as a federation since April last year.

Diana Morton, who has just been appointed the executive head of the school, said: "It's wonderful that the Government thinks enough of the children of Radcliffe to give £5million towards the building of a new school. We are all very excited.

"We plan to open the new school to the community, parents and other groups, and invite them to use our facilities. We will be sharing our resources, and keeping the community involved."

Competition-style projects will be undertaken to encourage children to take part in decision-making to help bring both school communities together.

The Government's backing now allows the council to start work on putting the other funding elements in place and look at designing and planning the new school.

It is hoped the building will available for use at the start of the 2006-2007 academic year.

Bury South MP Ivan Lewis said: "This is excellent news for the pupils and staff at the two schools. A state-of-the-art school will not only improve education in Radcliffe for generations to come, I believe it will be central to the regeneration of the entire town.

"The council and myself promised we would deliver this school and I am delighted that we are now able to honour this commitment."

Pictured with a glass of bubbly to mark the occasion are (from left) Bury South MP Ivan Lewis, chairman of governors Colin Jones, Coun Steve Perkins, and Diana Morton, executive headteacher Radcliffe High and Coney Green Technology College.

A merger of the schools was agreed by the council's Executive last September after a lengthy and widespread consultation, and the merger will take place this September.