FOURTEEN Lancashire schools were today due to be branded "outstanding" by education chiefs.

The plaudits come in the annual report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools which has identified 1,476 education establishments branded outstanding by Government inspectors during the academic year.

Details of the schools have not been released in advance but the Chief Inspector of Schools, Christine Gilbert, has confirmed 14 of the county's schools are mentioned in her report.

The schools were judged to be outstanding in their overall effectiveness.

Mrs Gilbert, said: "My congratulations go out to all involved for their success in delivering such a high standard of education and care.

"I am delighted to recognise their achievement and pay tribute to their work."

For the first time this year, outstanding providers will receive a specially-developed 'outstanding' logo which they can use on school documents and their websites.