HUNDREDS of children in Blackburn will be given the chance to brush up on their maths at special summer schools, it was announced today.

Two high schools in the town have been picked to take part in a pioneering project aimed at raising standards in numeracy.

Our Lady and St John in Shadsworth and Pleckgate High School make up two of the four schools in the North West chosen by the Government for the scheme.

Schools standards minister Stephen Byers announced a list of 51 UK schools which will share out a total of £500,000 over the summer.

The aim will be to improve numeracy standards among 11-year-olds due to start at secondary schools this September. The Labour Government decided to expand the scheme following the success of a pilot project run last year.

Children attending the summer schools will received 50 extra hours of teaching over the summer holidays. Schools which have involved parents and local businesses in decision making have been singled out for the initiative by the Government. Mr Byers said: "Summer schools are part of our strategy to raise standards.

"Starting secondary school is a daunting experience.

"A good grounding in numeracy at the start of the term will make the transition much easier."

He added: "Parents are a key influence in helping youngsters to see the value of numeracy.

"Often, parents themselves lack the confidence in mathematics, so both parents and children will benefit from summer schools."

Lancashire County Council also bid for funds to run other summer schools in East Lancashire but the cash will go to two high schools in Preston and Skelmersdale.

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