TWO of the North-East's largest law firms will help with the biggest investment programme in education for more than 50 years.

Ward Hadaway and Dickinson Dees have been selected to sit on the national panel formed to support the Government's Building Schools for the Future programme.

The two companies are the only regional law firms to be appointed to the panel of 12, which is otherwise made up of national or City-based companies.

The panel is responsible for advising local education authorities on the initiative on choosing the right private-sector partners and support.

Luan Kane, head of projects at Ward Hadaway, said: "It is great news for ourselves and Dickinson Dees to be involved in one of the most significant overhauls in education of the last century. It also shows that North-East firms are recognised as of equal quality to the leading national and City-based firms.

"There are only two regional firms appointed to the national panel - and they are both from the North-East, a tribute to the strength of law firms in the region."

More than 150 schools in 19 local education authorities across the country will benefit from a share of £2.2bn capital investment set aside for the first part of the programme, due to begin in 2005/206, which will be matched annually for the 15-year life of the initiative.

Private sector partnerships will build and renew school buildings. The private partners will also be responsible for maintenance.