GORDON Prentice, MP for Pendle, has welcomed the news that Lancashire County Council is to receive funding to build brand new state-of-the-art schools in Burnley and Pendle.

The proposals, which include knocking down three high schools in Nelson and Brierfield, had been on the government's reserve list.

But it was announced last week that they would be included in the first wave of funding in the Government's Building Schools for the Future programme.

Mr Prentice said: "We were all disappointed earlier this year to be told that the bid from Burnley and Pendle for new secondary schools had not be placed in the first wave and looked forward to it being included in the second wave later in the year.

"However, the good news is that the bid has been moved up and this will now give us the exciting opportunity to build new schools.

"I know how hard everyone has worked on the bid and will continue to work to make sure that the project is a success in providing innovative schools which are excellent places for teachers to teach and pupils to learn."