TEACHERS at a school in Colne have been praised for their hard work by the Minister of State, the Rt Hon Estelle Morris MP, and have been told they will receive a bonus of £17, 410 next month to share between them.

The money has been allocated as a School Achievement Award to staff at Fisher More High School as part of a new Government scheme to reward teachers for their efforts.

The cash incentives will be given to schools across the country which have either substantially improved their results between 1997 and 2000, came out of special measures in the 1999/2000 school year or achieved better results in 2000 than most schools in similar circumstances.

Fisher More was awarded its improvement award for increasing its five A to C GCSE pass rate by 17 per cent during the three year period.

Headteacher Peter Donnelly received a letter from the MP which said: "Thank you for your leadership and I would be grateful if you would thank all your staff for all their hard work and commitment. Congratulations and best wishes."

Mr Donelly said: "We are absolutely delighted to have been selected in this way and it is great for staff morale to be thanked for all their hard work during the three years.

"The money goes to the staff personally like a bonus and the governors will decide how it is distributed."