THE MULTI-million pound rebuilding of Blackburn and Darwen’s secondary schools is under threat — despite having already been approved.

It can be revealed Blackburn with Darwen bosses have already prepared for a 'worst case' scenario in the event of all the work being stopped. If this happened they would demand compensation from the government.

The council was confident it had sealed the deal in January when the £203million Building Schools for the Future reached 'financial close'.

Balfour Beatty was given the construction contract, which would see every secondary school in the borough rebuilt or renovated.

But it has emerged Bolton Council, which is in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen, is less advanced in its plans - leading to fears the project could unravel as the new government slashes public spending.

Coalition ministers say the whole of the BSF scheme is 'under review', and it is understood Blackburn’s tie-in with Bolton makes it more exposed to cuts.

If Bolton was rejected from the BSF scheme, Blackburn with Darwen would be left with extra costs totalling more than £1million, forcing it to scale back its plans to make up the shortfall.

A joint committee has already been set up, which has looked at the 'worst case' scenario of work being frozen immediately. It is thought projects at Darwen Vale and Pleckgate will be protected because work is already underway.

But the next jobs in the scheme, the rebuild of Witton Park school and the new East Blackburn Community School planned for the driving range in Haslingden Road, are less certain.

Harry Catherall, the council’s deputy chief executive, told councillors at a meeting that he was 'reasonably confident' of the whole scheme being funded.

He said: “We are hoping for an announcement in June about Witton Park and New East Blackburn. If not, we will be seeking clarification from the government.

“In the event that Bolton wasn’t accepted, we would want to be lobbying for compensation. We are advanced in our planning for this scenario. We hope it doesn’t come, but we are prepared in any case.”