TEENAGERS with emotional or long term medical needs are to be catered for at a special unit in Whitefield, which was officially launched this week.

The Emotional-Pupil Referral Unit (E-PRU) has been set up specifically to help youngsters who are absent from high school due to their situation or condition.

Within a patient and caring environment and under the guidance of dedicated teachers, the aim is to eventually reintegrate the pupils back into mainstream education, college or employment.

The E-PRU is situated in the Lancaster Suite which is a designated building in the grounds of Whitefield Primary School.

Known as The Ark, the building is also home to the borough's Pupil Learning Centre for primary age children.

Director of education for Bury Council, Harold Williams, attended the launch of the new facility along with acting manager for children's disability services (education), Margaret Graham, ward councillors and other invited guests.

Welcoming the facilities, Mr Williams said: "We have done some sterling work in the past in this field but there has been a gap. This unit will address the long term needs of extremely vulnerable young people who are not well enough to be in school. We wanted to produce this facility for the children and it also follows Government guidelines. There will be an appropriate curriculum but also emotional support."

The unit has been funded by a Government vulnerable children's grant and should receive its first pupil in two week's time.

Headed by teacher-in-charge Philomena Keane, the unit will cater for up to 10 pupils at a time, including some teenage mums who feel uncomfortable at the prospect of returning to the school they attended before pregnancy.

Pupils will have full access to ICT equipment, including internet connection, science and art resources as well as videos and books.