A HUGE cash boost will provide improved facilities at two Middlesbrough schools.

Ormesby Comprehensive School and St Clare's RC Primary School, in Acklam, are benefiting from a £1.1bn nationwide building improvement and modernisation programme announced by the Government.

Ormesby School is bidding for Technology College status for engineering. Yesterday, it received £1.8m for a technology and engineering wing, and a new entrance.

Middlesbrough Council, the local education authority, has given £600,000 with the school contributing £150,000.

St Clare's RC Primary School, in Acklam, is to be rebuilt and has been awarded £1.7m towards the scheme. It is hoped the buildings will be completed by September next year.