SCHOOLS in the borough will receive a chunk of £10 million in Government funding to help reduce attacks, trespassing, vandalism, theft and arson.

The announcement that Bury will get a £37,953 share for 2002-03 from the Capital Modernisation Fund (CMF) was made by Bury South MP and Young People and Learning Minister, Ivan Lewis.

Bury, along with other LEAs, will be encouraged to consider innovative solutions as well as traditional measures such as security fencing, CCTV and access-control systems.

Mr Lewis said: "Effective learning can only happen when pupils and staff feel safe and secure in their school environment. This new funding means that local education authorities can invest in measures to help achieve this."

He added: "Much good work has already been done by LEAs through previous funding, but there is still more to do. The £10 million will enable them to build on the positive improvements already under way."

In order to receive its allocation, Bury will have to confirm that it is able to identify individual projects and can monitor the effectiveness of measures installed.