GOOD buddies will soon be teaching youngsters across East Lancashire a lesson in how to survive their first year at secondary school.

The classroom friends network will be set up thanks to a massive new cash injection from the New Opportunities Fund.

The fund is awarding £6.5 million National Lottery cash to schools in the North West -- with more than £250,000 pouring into East Lancashire coffers.

Carole Underwood, Lancashire County Council's Out of Schools Learning Officer, said: "We're delighted with these awards for projects which will start in September.

"Schools have carried out extensive research and the innovative activities planned include older pupils acting in a supportive role to 'buddy' younger children"

She explained this meant that pupils in the first year at secondary school would befriend children in the last year at primary school, answer their questions about their forthcoming big move and offer support through their final junior terms. The New Opportunities Fund is awarding the cash from its Out of School Hours Learning Programme to 17 schemes which aim to make learning more enjoyable at 426 schools in the North West.

Other major projects will involve a dozen primary schools in Lancashire setting up lunchtime activities to "improve responsiveness" during afternoon teaching.

These will include team games, story telling and teaching leadership skills.

Meanwhile, new breakfast and lunchtime clubs at primary and secondary schools will offer reading workshops, sport and fitness activities, drama and art.

The names of the schools which will benefit from the cash injection will be announced in September.