EAST Lancashire MP Peter Pike has urged the government to improve education facilities for prisoners.

He spoke out in the Commons after a visit to Lancaster's jail where he saw new classrooms.

The Burnley Labour backbencher told Home Office Minister Paul Goggins that it was vital to improve education for those behind bars to stop them returning to crime on release.

Mr Goggins promised Mr Pike that the government was trying to do all it could to improve education in prison.

During Home Office questions, Mr Pike tackled the junior minister on the issue. He told him: "You know that I visited Lancaster Prison a few months ago and that I was impressed with the education facilities provided for some of its prisoners.

"It is important to reduce and stop re-offending, so will you tell us when such facilities will be increased and thus become available to all prisoners throughout the country?"

Mr Goggins replied: "I know about your visit and I was grateful for your positive remarks afterwards -- you are right.

"We have put in place education and skills co-ordinators in all our prisons to ensure that all prisoners have the opportunity to learn and develop skills."