A DARWEN high school is set to be the first in East Lancashire to be included in a government programme that aims to put schools at the heart of communities.

Margaret Hodge MP, minister for children, young people and families, announced that the school was one of 61 across the country to be given funding for the programme.

The services that will be provided by Darwen Vale include childcare, health and social care, life long learning, family learning, study support, sports, art and access to information and communications technology.

The school will remain open during the evenings to allow families to use the services.

Margaret Hodge said: "Joined-up services mean better support for children and families. The extended schools and children's centres that we are announcing today will help families access what they need, where and when they need it. They will act as one stop places, providing services organised around the needs of children and families.

"After school activities and clubs at extended schools is great for children and young people and helps make better use of school buildings which would otherwise be empty."

The school in Blackburn Road has over 1000 pupils and has been running a new citizenship pilot scheme.

No one at the school was available for comment.