REMARKABLE improvements have been highlighted as Leigh schools celebrate their fourth year as part of a pioneering project.

Children at 26 primary and secondary schools across the town have been on action stations since January 1999, when the government named Leigh as one of 25 groundbreaking Education Action Zones.

The scheme links schools with Wigan Council, further education, parents, businesses, community groups and other key organisations and provides extra funding to improve achievement and reduce the number of pupils who are disaffected with school.

In a progress report on the work of the EAZ at the beginning of its fourth year council, education experts have praised the improvements and attainments made.

The council's assistant director of education, Gareth Williams said: "Leigh EAZ has developed a series of innovative and successful initiatives that have raised expectations and attainment significantly."

Some of the ideas pioneered through the EAZ are now being taken up throughout the borough.

These include the Early Years scheme and the use of information and computer technology (ICT).