A LIST of urgent repair schemes for schools in Blackburn and Darwen has been drawn up by council officials.

The list will be used by Blackburn with Darwen Council to bid for cash under the Labour Government's New Deal scheme.

In the first year of the new initiative, just two schools in the borough, St Anthony's in Shadsworth and Blackamoor special school, were given cash.

The council has until the end of the month to put in bids for the second year of the programme.

The bids for funds have been put in order of priority by the council, and the Government's final decision is expected at the end of March.

Longshaw Junior School in Crosby Road, Roman Road, Blackburn, has been put top of the list of schools needing repairs.

Teachers say about £53,000 is needed to repair windows in the 1950s building. Many have gaps which lead to high heating bills and affect teaching conditions at the school.

About £35,000 worth of repairs are needed at Turncroft Nursery, Highfield Road, Darwen.

The nursery suffers from damp and condensation in all rooms because of the poor condition of the windows.

Lighting, switches and plugs need replacing at Griffin Park primary school, Cavendish Place, Griffin, Blackburn.

The school has been placed third on the list and the repairs are expected to cost £15,000.

The highest bill is at Holy Trinity School, Darwen, where a new junior department is needed at a cost of £1.3million.

The list will be discussed at a Blackburn with Darwen Council education and training committee meeting on Monday.

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