THE first specialist school in Hyndburn to be awarded technology college status was officially opened by a government minister.

Ivan Lewis MP, parliamentary under secretary of state for young people, last week visited the Hollins Technology College.

Formerly Hollins High School, the Hollins Lane, Accrington, school was one of a handful awarded specialist status as a technology college by the government in January.

It was the only one in Lancashire to achieve the coveted status and became the first in Hyndburn.

Following a speech, Mr Lewis unveiled a commemorative plaque and toured the school.

The school had to raise more than £50,000 in sponsorship in order to achieve the specialist status, and met the target with the help of local businesses.

The status will mean the school will be allocated extra funding and receive an additional £500,000 over the next four years to support the development of the specialist subjects of Design and Technology, Science, Mathematics, and Information and Communication Technology.

Headteacher Frank Harvard said: "I am delighted that the Hollins has been rewarded for its commitment to achieving Specialist School status.

"Significant additional investment will now be made, both in the technology provision, and across the whole curriculum at the Hollins and within our partner schools.

"I would like to thank our sponsoring companies and our family of schools for their contribution to this successful application."