PUPILS will not be able to start at Bolton's first privately-financed school when the new term begins.

The new Castle Hill School building in Tonge Moor is scheduled to open three weeks into the new school year on September 29, even though it was originally intended to have been ready in June.

Until moving day, pupils and staff will have to remain in the old school building next to the construction site in Tonge Moor Road, even though it has been stripped down ready for closure.

work on the £12 million Castle Hill Community Learning and Resource Centre ground to a halt when Glasgow contractors Melville Dundas went into receivership in May, weeks before the new school was due to open.

Another Scottish company, Dawn Construction, has been signed up as the new contractors. The firm will finance the school project, which will include a library, a community centre and other facilities.

Governors chairman Barbara Morey said: "We have got a moving date of September 29, so we will be in the new building three weeks after the new term begins.

"It is unfortunate because we had been hoping we could have been in the new building when the new term started."

Mrs Morey said the delay was down to the fact that the building work had not yet been finished. The whole development is expected to be opened in autumn next year.

Under the private finance initiative, public buildings are constructed by private companies and then leased back to the local authority.

Under Bolton's agreement, Dawn Construction will complete the project and run it on behalf of the council. After 25 years, the ownership will rever to the local authority.

The Castle Hill centre has been hailed as a major new community resource. Its facilities will also include a youth club, nursery, staff training centre and refurbished playing fields.

The Castle Hill project won this year's award for best education scheme under £20 million at a National Private Finance awards ceremony a few months ago.