CRUMBLING schools in Lancashire will take between 300 and 400 years to replace at present government funding rates, according to a shock council report.

Education bosses say at least 30 per cent of the county's schools urgently need repairing or replacing and are calling on the Government to provide more cash.

The latest blow comes just two months after it was announced Lancashire's schools are rapidly running out of funds and are facing a cash crisis over the next two to three years.

The alarming figures were revealed in a letter from Lancashire County Council chiefs to the Government's Department for Education and Employment.

The letter reads: "Over 30 per cent of Lancashire schools were built in the last century and many are beyond their useful economic life. "They represent a continuing drain on inadequate maintenance budgets, both for the authority, and for governors of schools operating with full delegation."

The letter adds: "Only very modest progress has been possible in recent years in the replacement of sub-standard buildings. At the present rate, it would take between 300 and 400 years to carry out a full replacement programme."

Many schools in the county claim they cannot meet National Curriculum standards due to a lack of facilities.

At least 15 new science laboratories are needed along with 60 major refurbishments, which would cost around £5 million. Another £1.5 million has to be found if primary schools are to meet Government standards in science and physical education.

Lancashire County Council has now put in a formal bid outlining the amount they want to spend on schools over the next three years.

The Government's recommended figure for next year is £4,249,000 but the council has committed itself to spending almost £8 million. But county hall is claiming more than £34 million is needed next year and over £53 million in 1998 to help ease the problems.

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