YOUNG mathematicians from Blackburn and Darwen are to benefit from £270,000.

Pleckgate High School Business and Computing College has secured money to set up a partnership with the borough’s nine other state secondaries, plus the independent Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School (QEGS), to offer more opportunities to talented pupils.

A series of events has been planned by Pleckgate to “support and inspire” the gifted and talented mathematicians in years nine to 11 from the state schools and QEGS, with activities centred around increasing attainment in, and take-up of, maths at A level and university level.

The project also aims to raise aspirations and create “opportunities to recognise and celebrate cultural, religious and social differences”.

Activities will include residential maths activity weekends, puzzle days, revision sessions and video conference events.