SEVEN East Lancashire schools will get a share of a £2.9 million government package to improve access for the disabled in North West schools.

Announcing the cash, Education Secretary David Blunkett said: "We are committed to promoting the inclusion of children with special educational needs within mainstream schools wherever possible."

The largest grant of £22,000 is going to St Bede's RC High, Blackburn, and nearly £20,000 has been awarded to St Christopher's CE High, Accrington.

Other schools to benefit are St Augustine's RC High, Billington, St John the Baptist RC, Padiham, St Mary Magdalene's RC, Burnley, St Barnabas and St Paul's and Our Lady's RC Primary, both Blackburn,

The grants cover 85 per cent of the cost of works which include installing ramps, handrails, lifts and disabled toilets and special projects such as buying portable equipment such as changing tables, chair lifts and information technology equipment.

Mr Blunkett said funding for access projects under special educational was being increased five-fold over the 1997-8 level.

He added: "Further increases are planned for the next two years, so that £100 million in total will be made available.

"We are today issuing £2.9 million in capital support to promote disabled access to local education authority schools, including voluntary aided schools, in the North West.

"We have allocated a further £2 million nationally for grant maintained schools.

"More than 1,600 schools will benefit this year from improve facilities for pupils with disabilities."

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