GOVERNMENT education minister Ivan Lewis is heading for Hindley to view Mornington High School's unique approach to the arts.

Mr Lewis MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Adult Learning and Skills, will meet staff and pupils to see for himself the specialist art college's success.

Accompanied by Leigh MP Andy Burnham, Mr Lewis will view superb new visual arts facilities and pupils' work.

Mornington High provides beyond school hours services and activities including an arts cyber cafand is now working with primary schools to ensure the benefits of being an arts college are enjoyed by a wider community.

The school plans to become a centre of learning for the whole community through the government's Extended Schools initiative.

Governors' chairman Cllr Stuart Shaw said: "We were all delighted to become a specialist school last year. The performing and visual arts are a major strength of the school and great strides have been made since then.

"We are now looking forward to showing Mr Lewis the work that the school is doing to spread the benefits of the visual arts throughout Hindley."