A HEADTEACHER has appealed for support from businesses to help her school achieve special science status.

And Katrina Ryan, of Mount Carmel High School, in Accrington, hopes a newly-formed group will help other schools in Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley achieve their targets too.

Mount Carmel, in Wordsworth Road, has to raise £50,000 if it is to submit an application that could be accepted in time for the next school year.

At least another three schools in Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley are also at various stages of compiling their bids for specialist status.

Miss Ryan and representatives from Rhyddings High School, Oswaldtwistle, Norden High School, Rishton, and St Augustine's RC High School, Billington, will meet with East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce early next month to discuss a collaborative approach to raising the money needed.

Money donated from East Lancashire businesses through the collaborationive would then be split among the schools involved.

Darren Grantham, business development manager for East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: "We have been contacted by a couple of high schools who are in the same position of trying to raise business sponsorship and it is a lot of money they have to raise.

"We have said we will try our best to help with this."

If Mount Carmel is successful in raising £50,000, the Government will add another £100,000 for the school to develop its science and mathematic facilities.

Miss Ryan said: "We still have not got the full £50,000 but are very close to the target. We still need help from businesses and if anyone would like to donate to schools in Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley collaboratively they can do.

"Because so many schools are starting to apply for specialist status it is difficult for businesses to decide who they will , so this makes the decision easier for them."