PIONEERING work at Lancashire schools has led to delegates from around the world attending a conference in the county, an education chief has insisted.

Lancashire County Council is hosting the three-day North of England Education Conference, which began in Preston yesterday, for more than 500 delegates from around the globe.

Louis Croven, the conference organiser, said: "I have visited virtually every school in Lancashire and I believe the reason we have been chosen to host the event is because we are leading the way.

"Our schools have a lot to be proud of - we have some of the best schools in the country here."

The conference will feature a host of keynote speakers ranging from representatives from the World Bank to leading education expert Prof Andy Hargreaves.

He has written extensively on leadership in education, completing more than 25 books on the subject.

He is currently based at the Lynch School of Education at Boston College in America and will speak on how education can promote social equality.

The conference also features contributions from school children from across the county.

The event will explore issues from investment in education to internet safety for pupils.

Members of Lancashire's youth council will speak and there will also be a special event for 70 governors in the county who will be given advice on how to be more effective in their role and how to make the best use of cash.

Mr Croven said the event will mainly feature the "movers and shakers" in education - from local authorities, to schools and higher education and the private and voluntary sector.

It is hoped that the conference will help shape policies and practices for the future in Lancashire Lancashire County Council leader Coun Hazel Harding said: "We are delighted and proud to bring this major international event to Lancashire.

"I'm sure the benefits will be very wide reaching indeed in the county."