PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has urged Lancashire county councillors to give an East Lancashire school the investment it deserves.

The Tory backbencher has been pushing for improvements to Colne Park High School for some time.

He visited the school on December 5 to meet the chairman of governors and headteacher before writing to Lancashire County Council requesting that repairs at the school be prioritised.

Now county schools boss Matthew Tomlinson is to visit the school with fellow cabinet member Labour’s Pendle parliamentary candidate Azhar Ali.

Mr Stephenson said: “There is no need for county councillor Ali to visit the school. He’s a Nelson county councillor, with no education remit.

“The county council are delaying urgent repairs at this school in order to get a photo opportunity for Labour’s parliamentary candidate. It’s clear that they are playing politics with children’s education. They should just get on with the work, and bring what is one of the top secondary schools in our area up to scratch.”

Pendle East Tory county councillor Paul White said: “I went to Park High, so can vouch for the great education there, but I’m also now a school governor and the school needs investment.”