BUDDING performers in East Lancashire could soon follow in the footsteps of a talented Rossendale family, thanks to a £600,000 cash boost to create the area's first fame school.

Haslingden High School has received £500,000 in government cash and £100,000 from local business sponsors to allow it to become a performing arts college.

The Government windfall was part of a £29 million fund to benefit 149 schools across the UK.

The money has been used for a new purpose-built dance studio, a drama suite and recording studios.

The Aston Family, renowned for their acting talents, were on hand to celebrate the official opening of the community facility, including former pupils Emily, 21, Lizzie, 18 and current pupil Tom, 16, Joseph, and young Sam, 10, who will go to the school next year.

The gifted siblings have all carried out acting roles, with Emily landing a starring role in the play Once Upon a Time in Wigan, which details the closure of Wigan Casino.

Young Sam, who stars as cheeky Chesney in Coronation Street, is celebrating recently winning another six-month extended contract, which will allow him to continue playing the role.

Sam said: "I am looking forward to coming to Haslingden High School now because of the new drama and dance rooms. They look really good."

The specialist scheme, which allows schools to concentrate on specific areas such as performing arts, sport or technology, was introduced after research revealed pupils do better in examinations and standards can be raised through focusing on a particular aspect of education.

The school now joins the list of the country's performing arts schools, including the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, set up by ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney and Liverpool City Council in 1996.

Haslingden High School acting headteacher Eve Challinger, said she was delighted to unveil the new facilities in the presence of the Aston family.

"I am absolutely delighted to welcome the Aston family to the opening of our new rooms. The family have a long history of involvement.

"This honour has not been won easily and represents a lot of hard work on the part of many different people."

Mrs Challinger highlighted in particular the hard work of the school's head of expressive arts Gill Rennard and her team.

She added: "A huge number of students have also worked tremendously hard, both in lesson time and in extra-curricular activities, to produce the highest standards of performance in dance, drama and music."

Emily Aston, who is also known for playing Des Barnes' girlfriend Claire's daughter Becky, in Coronation Street, said: "Seeing all this makes me quite jealous and feel like I want to come back to school again. It's wonderful for the school."

Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson -- former minister for the performing arts -- said: "I am absolutely delighted. It will raise the profile of the school.

"Rossendale has already produced a number of performing stars, including Jane Horrocks and Emily Aston and will now make it easier for talented local young people to follow in their footsteps."