BOLTON schools hit the jackpot today with a double cash windfall from the Government.

Nineteen schools and a nursery are to share £381,000 to bring buildings up to 21st century standards by improving heating and lighting.

And Prime Minister Tony Blair announced at the Labour Party conference yesterday that section 11 grants to help ethnic minority pupils would not be axed.

In Bolton, this is worth around £500,000 a year for 35 schoools where there is a high number of children with English as a second language. It would secure the jobs of 60 teachers.

Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett said North-west schools will be allocated £14.2 million for repairs, replacements or renovation.

In Bolton, the cash will be spent on improving heating in primary schools at Spindle Point, Blackrod, Church Road, St Simon and St Jude, St Stephen and All Martyrs, St Ethelbert RC, Bishop Bridgeman CE and St Michael's CE. Lighting will be improved at St Germain nursery, primary schools at Beaumont, Brandwood, Cherry Tree and Church Road and secondary schools at Little Lever, Sharples, Turton, Withins, Rivington and Blackrod, St Joseph's RC and Thornleigh RC.

Cllr Don Eastwood, chairman of Bolton's education committee said: "The money will mean that we can make real improvements."

Mr Blunkett said yesterday: "We cannot raise standards without a modern school environment with the best technological equipment that a modern, forward-looking nation can supply.

"As a start, I am announcing £83 million this year to improve security, promote new technology and tackle the appalling backlog of repairs."

Bury gets £343,000 between Tottington South Primary which will get three temporary classrooms replaced, Philips High School which will get laboratories upgraded and Elton High School for a science lab.

Wigan will receive £720,000 to buy computer equipment for all schools, repair roofs, including one at Golborne High and toilet blocks will be repaired or replaced at Hindley Green, Hindley Low Hall, Leigh CE, Atherton Two Porches, Bedford High, Golborne primary, Hesketh Fletcher and Hindley primary.

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