SCHOOL computer boffins can give the big boys some lessons in training after winning two national awards.

The staff who help Bolton teachers use information technology in class beat off competition from large private sector companies to win the prestigious industry awards.

Members of the Bolton Curriculum ICT team, who are based at the Castle Hill centre and service more than 100 local schools, came top of the class for being the best IT Training Providers in Education.

They also won the best publication award for their booklet to help primary schools, IT in Primary Literacy.

The news caused a stir within the industry because Bolton was in competition with big companies such as Microsoft and Apple for the British Educational Technology for Training (BETT) awards.

Education chief Cllr Don Eastwood was delighted by the accolades and said: "As an authority Bolton has invested heavily in IT, helping its education service run its schools and provide for schoolchildren.

"A top award such as the BETT award is the icing on the cake. We were in competition with many big private companies so it's a real achievement for the centre and staff."

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