MAYOR of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Jack Bury, visited a new facility which will bring the home into the classroom in a bid to help struggling children.

The Sunshine Room at St Andrews C of E primary school in Scotland Bank Terrace has been designed to resemble a home-type environment including sofas and a kitchen to make the youngsters feel more relaxed.

Headteacher Christine Henderson said it would be used for infants and key stage one pupils, aged up to seven, and that the novel approach was the first of its kind in Blackburn.

Mrs Henderson said: "The mayor was very supportive and he was really interested to see this new development in the school."

She added: "He emphasised the role of the school at the heart of the community to allow each pupil to reach their full potential."