DETAILS have been unveiled of two new £5million state-of-the-art primary schools to be built in Burnley.

They will replace five outdated smaller schools which have been hit by falling pupil numbers. A third school will undergo an £850,000 facelift.

The schools will open in August under their new names but in temporary accommodation as the new buildings take shape.

The massive project follows a review of primary schools in Burnley by county education chiefs. Pupil numbers have plummeted as 3,000 houses in the town lie empty.

County Coun Alan Whittaker, cabinet member for education and young people, said: "We always promised that the review process would lead to new facilities which would play host to vibrant and full school communities."

The first new school, Rosewood Primary, will replace Healey Wood Infant School and Rosehill Nursery, Infant and Junior. It will cater for up to 420 primary pupils and up to 52 part-time nursery children.

Michael McIlroy, from Penwortham Primary School, near Preston, has been appointed headteacher.

Rosewood will initially operate in the Rosehill Infants premises and in mobile classrooms on the same site.

Meanwhile, a new school will be built at a cost of £2.6million on the site of the Rosehill schools in Moorland Road and Creswick Close. It is due to open in summer 2003.

Cherry Fold Community Primary School will replace the existing Myrtle Bank Nursery and Infant schools, Coal Clough Primary and Hargher Clough Junior. It will have up to 420 primary pupils and 52 part-time nursery pupils.

Lionel Howarth, from West Street Primary School, Colne, has been seconded as headteacher until July 2003, when a permanent head will be appointed.

Cherry Fold will initially operate in existing accommodation as a new school building takes shape at a cost of £2.4million, ready to take pupils from January 2004.

Burnley Springfield Community Primary School will take the place of the existing Burnley Wood and Todmorden Road primary schools. It will teach up to 350 primary pupils.

Anne Wells, from Foulridge St Michael and All Angels CE Voluntary Aided Primary School, has been seconded as headteacher until July 2003 when a permanent head will be appointed.

Burnley Springfield will initially operate in the Todmorden Road school premises while the Burnley Wood classrooms in Oxford Street are extended and refurbished at a cost of £850,000. These will open in summer 2003.

Temporary governing bodies have been set up for the new schools.

County Councillor Whittaker said "The new school buildings will provide state-of-the-art facilities for the pupils, parents and staff and will be available for use by the wider community.

"I know that everyone in Burnley will be looking forward to making the most of this new start for young children's education in the town."

Coun Charles Bullas, who is on the temporary governing body for Rosehill Primary School, said: "This is great news and it is very welcome. Although it is a shame that some of the smaller schools had to close to make this possible, I think it is generally good news that we are amalgamating and getting new schools."