A SCHOOL has secured more than £700,000 in Government funding to completely refurbish its sport facilities.

Colne Primet Academy had to go through a ‘highly competitive bidding process’ to secure the funding, with the school’s bid being backed by Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson.

Work will start on the sports hall, gym and changing rooms in July, and the refurbishment will be completed before Christmas.

Anita Ghidotti, executive principal at the Dent Street school, said the cash would ‘com- pletely transform’ the sport facilities.

“We are delighted to secure almost three-quarters of a million pounds to completely transform our sports facilities,” she said.

“It will give our students, both current and future, an amazing resource. The facilities will be used across the entire curriculum, so the whole school will benefit from this huge investment in our academy.

“We know that our students deserve the best, and we are determined that they will have the best.

“The academy, sponsored by Nelson and Colne College, has a career focus and is especially keen to promote health and wellbeing to all students, so this investment is timely and very welcome.”

Mr Stephenson said: “I was pleased to catch up with Education Minister Michael Gove after Prime Minister’s Questions to thank him for the £716,000 capital funding for Colne Primet Academy.”