A total of £120 million has been allocated to education this year - £6.7 million more than last year.

The increased allocation is mirrored in authorities across the country and backs up the Government's promise to make schools its top priority.

The extra cash will be fed directly into school budgets and how and where it is spent will be decided by governors.

At a special meeting of the education and arts committee, councillors welcomed the news. Labour Cllr Eric Johnson, one of the longest serving members of the committee, said: "I feel a lot happier this year looking at this budget than the one which faced the committee last year and in past years. It's very good to see that education is being recognised by the new Government.

"It is now up to schools to decide what they will do with the extra cash."

Phil Buckley, headteacher of Tonge Moor County Primary School, said: "On behalf of schools across the borough, I welcome this budget. It is very nice to see additional money coming into schools.

"This is one of the first times that we have seen money actually coming in to schools. For all of us it represents a culture change.

"Many will only believe there's extra money for them when the letters drop through letter boxes. It would not be surprising if, in the first year, people were cautious."

A total of £2.7 million is available to be spent on capital projects - that is building works to schools. Among the projects set to benefit are major building work at St Gregory's Farnworth and work to Horwich Parish School.

£100,000 will also be spent on implementing borough-wide behaviour policy and an additional £35,000 will be spent on the home tuition scheme. £27,000 will be targeted at support for visually impaired pupils and £12,000 will give the authority the ability to support the physically disabled under 5s.

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