A NATIONAL report has confirmed fears that schools across Lancashire are falling into ruin because of lack of funding.

The shock report claims 200 Victorian-built primary schools are crumbling and £75 million is needed to fund the repair bill.

According to the Audit Commission findings, spending on schools has been halved over the last six years.

At current spending rates, it would take Lancashire County Council 200 years to repair the rundown primary schools.

Many primary and junior schools are forced into using temporary classrooms which have to be abandoned during high winds.

John West, leader of the ruling Labour group at County Hall, said: "These figures are not news to us.

"For the past decade, we have repeatedly asked for Government permission to spend more money on school repairs."

He added: "Only now with a new Labour Government have we been promised extra cash to tackle this huge problem. "The Chancellor Gordon Brown has announced an extra £1.3 billion nationally over the next five years to meet this massive backlog.

"Tony Blair is living up to his promises to make education the Government's top priority."

The Audit Commission has accused many councils of failing to plan ahead in its wide ranging report.

But it adds the situation in Lancashire has been caused by a lack of Government funding over the last decade.

Andrew Foster, controller of the commission, said: "There is clearly a gap between the level of demand and the resources available to spend on capital assets such as schools, buildings and leisure centres.

"Local authorities need to assemble comprehensive and reliable information about the size of that gap as a first step towards closing it.

"There are considerable opportunities for councils to make better use of their assets and resources which could result in real improvements for the delivery of public services."

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