TWO of Bolton's most popular schools have revealed details of their multi-million pound transformation and expansion plans.

A total of £5 million will be invested in Canon Slade in Bradshaw and St James' CE High School in Farnworth — which are governed by The Bishop Fraser Trust.

Canon Slade has received £2.2 million from Bolton Council to increase the number of pupils it takes on to meet what has been described as a "desperate" need for secondary school places in the borough.

The school will take on an extra 30 pupils in Year Seven from September and as part of that a new modern classroom block will be created, the kitchen will be improved and additional sporting facilities will be provided.

The new development will be near the front of the school, and work will start this year with the new building ready for September, 2019.

Headteacher David Burton said: "With the creation of brand new classrooms and sporting facilities we really are looking forward to being able to take more students into both our Year Seven and our Sixth Form."

St James' CE High School received £2.8 million of government funding to carry out roof repairs and replace an old classroom block with a new development.

Work on the roof will be completed by October with the new teaching block built by Christmas, 2019.

Plans are to build the new block on the hard play area off Lucas Road at the front of school.

Headteacher and Trust CEO Tania Lewyckyj said: "We aim to make the most of the new space. In addition to replacing 12 classrooms we will be improving the facilities for the Special Needs Department. Once the new building has been completed the old block will be demolished and the area landscaped.

"We are very pleased that our first bids to the Building Fund for Academy Schools has brought so much investment back in to Bolton. In addition to the capital investment, the improvements will help us to save on energy costs and create a much better environment for our pupils and staff."

Bolton Council are creating more than 200 extra high school places this September as they spend £15 million on building work.

Other schools which will take in an extra 30 pupils from September will be Sharples Academy, Thornleigh Salesian College in Sharples, Essa Academy in Great Lever, and Ladybridge High School.

Pupil numbers will increased by 39 at St Joseph’s RC High School, Horwich and 40 at Westhoughton High School. Each school will undergo a £2 to £3 million expansion programme to accommodate the extra numbers.

Turton School is currently undergoing a £2.5 million extension and modernisation plans to increase the numbers of pupils who go there.

St James CE High School was among nine primary and secondary schools to have successfully bid for government cash to improve their buildings under the 'condition improvement fund'. Bolton schools received £4.7 million to transform buildings.