PUPILS in Blackburn are on-line to have one of the most technologically advanced schools in the country - thanks to a £50,000 cash windfall.

Beardwood School is one of only five in the UK to successfully bid for cash to create a new learning resource centre with advanced internet facilities.

It has been awarded £25,000 by cable giant Nynex Cablecomms after impressing a judging panel with its technological track record.

The other half has been found by local sponsors, keen to see the school stay ahead in the technology race.

The expansion is linked to Tony Blair's dream to make the country's students computer literate.

Headteacher Roger Eckton said: ''We are absolutely delighted. It is an enormous boost to be able to create a 30-place technology centre.

''It enables us to link to the internet using the latest technology and makes us one of the most advanced schools in the country. ''Beardwood has a glorious chance to be ahead of everyone in the 21st century.''

The new centre, due to open in September, is the first of its kind in the North West and will be housed in the school's existing technology centre.

Beardwood already has 45 computers but several need upgrading or replacing.

The new system of around 30 machines will give the school's 1,000-plus pupils access to the worldwide internet in both lesson and out-of-school time.

In his nine years at Beardwood, Mr Eckton has seen it go from having a handful of very basic computers to one of the most technically-advanced in the United Kingdom.

He now hopes it will improve the school's status when applying for technology school status for the fourth time.

He said: ''We have got to keep our fingers on the pulse. This gives us that extra bit of leverage when applying again.

''We will be keeping our fingers crossed for the next bid in September.'' Mr Eckton added that, if the status was given, the centre would be opened to the local community.

The school was picked for the award by Business in Community, a national organisation working to increase the role of industry in local communities.

It allocated the funds on behalf of Nynex Cable Comms on condition the cash total was matched by local organisations.

The other half came from school funds, Blackburn with Darwen Council and ELTEC Education Business Partnership, as well as Bolton-based firm Computer Systems and office furniture supplier Accoutre.

Nynex spokeswoman Jackie Paterson said: "Nynex is committed to supporting the communities we serve and this project will harness new technology, not only to the school but the whole community.

''We believe it is absolutely vital for future generations that education is provided with access to the exciting revolutions in telecommunications we are now witnessing.''

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