EAST Lancashire businessman Philip Wardle had children's education in a spin when he helped to launch a new interactive classroom -- on a unicycle.

It is hopes that the travelling classroom, in a 7.5 ton vehicle, will increase awareness of the life-threatening disease polio.

And East Lancashire rotarian Philip, reckons he's heading for a fall as he attempts to raise the profile of the charity through education.

"I've been training regularly and I'm managing to stay upright on the unicycle for several yards now, but I have quite a few bruises to show for it," he said.

"However, I'm looking forward to raising people's awareness of the disease." Audley Infants School, in Blackburn, was first on the stop-off list for the interactive classroom, which uses pioneering white boards.

Headteacher Suzanne Grimshaw said the fact that ninety per cent of the school's pupils come are of Asian descent, with family in India and Pakistan -- hotspots for the disease, made them perfect candidates.

"It is not something the children or families are very aware of but they certainly learned a lot," she said.

"And Philip is hoping to return to the school with his unicycle... when he has mastered it!" The 48-year-old has been getting into the saddle and practising hard for a memorable unicycle charity stunt in Southport. He has teamed up with award-winning Blackburn company Promethean, which develops and manufactures the interactive white boards used by schools, colleges and businesses to give a hi-tech edge to learning.

And the technology aboard the classroom will spread a roadside message about the scourge of polio.

Philip said: "Fewer than 10 countries in the world still have polio.

"The greatest obstacle now to outright victory is adequate funding, which is why Rotary decided to launch its campaign to raise money."

Peter Lambert, production manager at award-winning Promethean, said: "It's a very worthwhile campaign and we wanted to help it in the best way we can through education.

"And we know that interactive whiteboards really enhance the learning experience for children."

Before it appears in Southport on March 7, 8 and 9, the interactive classroom will call at schools across Lancashire. Rotary launched PolioPlus, one of the most ambitious humanitarian programmes ever undertaken by a private-sector organisation, in 1985.

Today, thanks to Rotary's £350million commitment and its leadership in mobilizing volunteers, the polio virus is on the brink of being eradicated.