TWO schools in particular are delighted that they ordered our NIE local history pack, on receiving the news that they were both picked out as winners in our prize draw for educational software.

Pleckgate High School in Blackburn and Haslingden County Primary School will receive their valuable up-to-date gifts at presentations next week.

A set of "UK Course Discover" CD Rom disks worth £250 will help Pleckgate's students to select university and college courses from details of over 10,000 available across the country. The material, produced and managed by ECCTIS 2000 Limited, on behalf of the Department of Education and Science, is updated to subscribers five times during the year, enabling students to receive the latest information to help plan their future. Our junior winners, Haslingden County Primary School, receive two sets of software. Dorling Kindersley's Learning Ladder creates a complete learning system for children and can be used equally well at home as in school. Literacy, numeracy, creative activities and a broader knowledge of skills needed to help youngsters through primary school have been developed with experienced teachers are given a fun twist by Woody the animated pencil.

In addition, the "Starting to Read" CD Rom, from Europress and suitable for non-readers of all ages, will be going to the Haslingden school. The disk claims to be able to get people reading in as little as four hours and contains material suitable for a young age group as well as older pupils and adults.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.