A HEAD has made a plea to David Cameron to protect a £100million project to regenerate East Lancashire schools.

Bob Flood, headteacher at Norden High School, Rishton has called on the new Prime Minster to dispel fears over phase four of the Building Schools for Future (BSF) scheme.

The money was allocated last November but the new coalition government has ordered a review of the whole programme, leaving it in jeopardy.

Lancashire County County successfully bid for the cash, which would see 10 high schools in East Lancashire revamped with new classroom blocks, ICT and art rooms and dining facilities.

But it has been reported that the scheme, which includes schools in Colne, Barnoldswick, Haslingden and Hyndburn, could be axed under education spending cuts.

Mr Flood said: “We're looking for some reassurance from the government.

“The local authority has done an excellent job putting the bid in and really taken the bull by the horns. We would be extremely disappointed if it fell through.”

Mr Flood said it would not just be the pupils who suffered if the scheme was scrapped, but the whole community.

He said: “In areas of high deprivation, particularly in East Lancashire, this is a fantastic opportunity to help these young people and invest in their futures.”

If BSF goes ahead, work at Norden could start in August 2011.