ONE of Bolton's top schools is set to take on more pupils.

Bolton Muslim Girls School, which is the second highest performing state school based on GCSE results, is to receive government cash to expand and address "extreme" overcrowding.

The school is one of fifteen locally to have been awarded a slice of £430 million from the Government's Condition Improvement Fund.

St James' CE High School, another high performing school, is to receive more cash to improve its building after winning a multi-million pound award from the same pot last year to build a new teaching and learning block replacing an old dilapidated building which should have been pulled down in the 1980s.

This time money will be spent on developing a new classroom and dinning block.

Temporary buildings will be replaced at Harper Green School in Farnworth.

Other schools set to receive money include Bolton St Catherine's Academy, Harwood; Bowness Primary School, Little Lever, Canon Slade, Bradshaw; Eagley Infant School, Bromley Cross; Eagley Junior School, Bromley Cross; Harwood Meadows Primary School; Masefield Primary School, Little Lever; Red Lane Primary School, Breightmet; Sharples Secondary School; St Maxentius CE Primary School, Bradshaw and St Peter's Smithills Dean CE Primary School.

Work varies from roof and general refurbishments, including heating and upgrades to meet new requirements.

David Greenhalgh, leader of the Bolton Conservatives, said: "I absolutely delighted that this new money is coming into schools , it is real opportunity for expansion.

"The difference the money makes is fantastic and this fund allows schools to make their decision about what needs doing for the benefit of their pupils."

The fund is designed for remedial building works, ensuring that health and safety standards are met, and and keeping buildings regulation compliant and energy efficient.

More than 1,000 schools and sixth-forms nationwide will benefit from the fund.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds said: "Schools are much more than just buildings; they are the centres of communities, they are where children learn skills for the rest of their lives, and they are safe havens. "That’s why it’s vital they are in the best possible condition. So as well as providing the resources for all schools to maintain and renew their facilities, today’s funding will target those schools with some of the most urgent need ­— making sure children don’t have to spend time in buildings that aren’t fit for purpose."