NEWS that £3.5million is to be spent on bringing East Lancashire schools up to scratch is welcome.

Headteachers and governors were disappointed last year when the next phase of the Building Schools for the Future programme, set to benefit institutions in Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale, was axed.

But the state of some educational properties has reached a crisis point and Lancashire County Council is funding vital repairs.

The scheme will see Colne’s Park High, Rhyddings in Oswaldtwistle and Haslingden High all receive backing for significant structural, electrical or energy efficiency projects.

Park’s new refit will cost £200,000, while Rhyddings will see £140,000 worth of energy efficiency measures and Haslingden’s roofing work is set to generate a £200,000 bill.

All three would have seen more substantial regeneration if the second wave of BSF had gone ahead across East Lancashire. The other big winner is Ribblesdale High, set to get £290,000 to help it reduce its carbon footprint.

Another £600,000 will go on rewiring Longridge High, and roof repairs are pencilled in for Bacup’s Britannia Primary, Newchurch Primary in Rossendale and Broadway Primary at Haslingden.

These upgrades will help make a real difference to our schools and hopefully will last for years to come.