SCHOOLS in Redcar and Cleveland could receive a multi-million pound boost, it was announced yesterday.

The borough council has been told by the Government it can draw up a plan for a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) which it is hoped will bring £45.8m to its schools.

The scheme could include the creation of a new £9m Roman Catholic secondary school and primary school in Redcar, as well as millions of pounds worth of refurbishment work at Nunthorpe School, Laurence Jackson School in Guisborough and Bydales School in Marske.

It is also hoped the initiative will provide £8.9m for a new building for Gillbrook Technology College, and £1.9m for a new primary school, both in South Bank.

The council's lead member for lifelong learning, Councillor Ian Jeffrey, said the plan was in its very early stages.

But he added: "Today's announcement is a major achievement for the authority against national competition. The investment would improve the quality of learning opportunities for our young people in the borough.

"We've reached the first stage of a process that will now involve members, officers, governing bodies and the communities of all the schools involved.

"To take this through to a successful conclusion will depend on an excellent working relationship with all our partners."

Ashok Kumar, Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP, described the news as a "£45m Easter egg".

"This is brilliant news which follows a lot of extensive lobbying of education ministers to see that our schools get a fair break," he said.

A further £21m has been allocated for a radical overhaul of education in Darlington.

Under the proposals, three schools - Haughton Community School, Beaumont Hill Special School and Technology College and Springfield Primary School - will be demolished and rebuilt on a single site alongside new health and social services facilities.