BRITAIN'S first virtual school is set to be created in East Lancashire -- helping to educate children who can't go to class.

Youngsters who have missed mainstream school for long periods of time will be signed up to the project which will offer on-line tutoring through computers, which will be provided if necessary.

Lancashire County Council is now seeking funding for the multi-million pound project, which has been given a cautious welcome by teachers.

It will be piloted in Rossendale before being rolled out across the county.

Children who could benefit from the innovative project include those excluded from school, youngsters in hospital, pregnant school girls, the children of travellers and pupils with educational needs which prevent them from being taught alongside others.

It can even be adapted to help pupils who may be prevented from going to school due to unexpected events, such as farm children quarantined in their homes because of foot and mouth. Under the scheme, each pupil will be assigned a personal tutor who will support and guide them through work using modern technology such as web cameras and interactive software. The virtual school building would be attached to an existing school, with separate staff employed.

The project, the only one of its kind in the country, is due to be presented to the Department For Education and Skills next year for funding once a business plan is completed. It could be live within two years.

A business plan using the Rossendale and Preston areas has been put together. There are around 300 pupils in each education district who could benefit.

The project idea was put together by the county council after a change in the law left the authority responsible for providing education to all children, include those who do not go to school for a variety of reasons.

Coun Alan Whittaker, in charge of education and young people, believes the scheme will have an immediate impact on exam results.

He said: "For a variety of reasons, there are children and young people who do not go to school regularly.

"It could be because they have been excluded or because they are carers for ill relatives. We have a statutory obligation now to make sure they have access to education, and this scheme is very exciting because it fulfils our belief in education 'anytime, anyplace, anywhere.'

"Youngsters will be encouraged to maintain links with their schools, and this isn't designed to replace schools. Pupils will be registered only if there is no realistic alternative for them.

"Providing them with the same level of education as pupils in the classroom should lead to an impact on exam results. This is a unique project which I know will be watched closely."

The project could be part financed by private businesses who would then lease any new buildings to the authority.

It is not yet known how many new jobs would be created.

Simon Jones, a member of the National Union of Teachers' executive board, said: "In theory, this is something we would welcome but it is important that it is only seen as a last resort and not an easy alternative to going to school.

"For us, a lot of the devil will be in the detail and we hope it won't be the thin end of the wedge for the development of cyberschools everywhere."

Coun Whittaker said: "Extra classes could be held for bright pupils from across the county, and using modern technology they can do that from home or their school and not have to travel.

"The information provided online will also benefit smaller schools which may not have access to the same materials as the bigger schools."

"It is a wonderful scheme. Basically, we are reducing the barriers to learning which have, in the past, held some youngsters back."