BURY schools are to get more than half a million pounds pumped into them for refurbishments and improvements.

The £632,224 of government cash is already in the post and the money will go directly to the schools.

Mr Paul Cooke, acting head of buildings and administration for Bury local education authority (LEA) said: "The news of the additional funding is most welcome, and will allow schools to carry out a wide range of major repairs and improvements to their buildings, which will result in significant improvements to the learning environment for all pupils."

Added to the £711,000 allocated to Bury in April, this now means that individual allocations will range from £8,600 at the smallest primary school to £36,000 at the largest high school.

Schools will have responsibility for determining how the money is spent.

However, it has to be used to meet the priorities identified within the Asset Management Plan which was drawn up by the LEA. This involved a detailed condition survey of all premises.

If they wish, the schools can carry forward their annual allocation for up to three years to fund larger schemes or, with the approval of the LEA, advance funds from later years for the same purpose.