SCHOOLS in Lancashire shared £2.6million in extra funding after an administrative blunder, it has been revealed.

Teachers warned county council bosses against trying to claw the cash back once the mistake was realised.

And the county, which is facing budget reductions of up to 40 per cent in Government cuts, is set to use its £4.4million reserves to cover the total.

Lancashire County Council bosses made a mistake on a funding spreadsheet which was submitted to the Department for Education for the financial year 2010 to 2011.

As a result £2.6million more than the schools standard grant was distributed to schools.

The error was only spotted after the money had been handed out to headteachers in March and had already been earmarked.

As a result heads would be forced to hand back between £370 and £15,057.

Kieran Heakin, head of St John the Baptist RC Primary School, Burnley, said: “Any attempt to take back money that is committed for a teaching establishment is very difficult. We have to make do with the budget for the year and to take money off is very difficult.

“it is a Lancashire County Council issue not an education issue. It should be sorted by the council. It has reserves.”

It was decided, at a meeting of the Lancashire Schools Forum, that the money would not be recalled but would be taken out of county council’s reserve.

Mike Hart, director of capital investment and resources in the county council's children and young people's directorate, said: "In its financial planning, the authority makes provision for this type of situation. And, as a result, none of the county's schools will be affected in any way.

"It should also be noted that the £2.616m represents 0.4 per cent of the total funding that Lancashire receives for its schools."

Labour County Coun Mohammed Iqbal said: “Quite clearly it was a major mistake which has cost taxpayers and the county more than £2million pounds. Someone should pay for it. Quite clearly it is a lot of money. The political leadership should take responsibility.”