ORGANISERS of the new "Adopt a School" initiative have revealed which businesses and schools have been chosen for the first phase.

Bolton and Bury Education Business Partnership -- a subsidiary of the Chamber of Commerce -- is seeking to develop links which benefit schools, pupils and firms.

A scheme which has operated in Memphis, Tennessee for the last 20 years is coming to Bolton and Bury after transferring to Nottingham with great success.

Participating companies encourage employees to spend time during school hours on such activities as mentoring individual pupils, helping with literacy/numeracy work and even serving as a governor.

There is also scope for arranging works visits for pupils, mock job interviews and helping head teachers who feel they might benefit from advice provided by managers in industry.

More than 300 people attended a launch event at the Last Drop and the EBP has followed it up by matching some of the schools and firms which embraced the idea with enthusiasm.

The initiative is being backed by Education Secretary Estelle Morris.

EBP Director Charlotte Chadwick said: "We are so looking forward to developing the partnerships between the businesses and the schools in our area.

"Everyone is so keen to get involved and really make a difference in Bolton and Bury.

"We are delighted to announce these schools and businesses and will keep everyone updated with progress as we move towards September and the new school year."

She added: "We hope to engage the business volunteers in really exciting projects with both pupils and teachers."

Meetings will take place between headteachers and firms over the next two months to draw up action plans which suit partners' needs.

Other schools and firms will become involved in the scheme as it develops over the next few years.

Further information is available from Charlotte Chadwick or Ruth Scaife on 01204 374632.

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The Bolton secondary schools and their business partners are as follows: Rivington & Blackrod High (Royal Bank of Scotland), Smithills High (WH Smith), George Tomlinson High (NatWest) and Mount St Josephs RC High (MB DA, Lostock).

Primary schools taking part are: Highfield CP (The Vanliners), St James CP, Daisy Hill (McDonalds) and Mytham CP (Crefys Recruitment).

In Bury the secondary schools are: Derby High (02), Coney Green High (Inland Revenue), Bury Church CE High (Keoghs) and Woodhey High (Halifax).

The primary schools are: Fishpool CP and East Ward CP (both Millgate Shopping Centre) and Chantlers CP (to be decided).