THE first possible teaching redundancies in East Lancashire were revealed today in the cash stand-off between local and central government.

Two full-time teaching posts at St Anthony's RC Primary in Shadsworth Road, Blackburn, are under threat and two jobs could be axed at Roman Road County Primary in Fishmoor Drive, Blackburn, in September.

The National Union of Teachers fears these will be the first jobs to fall in East Lancashire as the hunt for missing millions in the education budget goes on.

Since February, schools and local education authorities have been saying money was too tight to pay for increases in national insurance, teachers' superannuation and pay awards.

Meanwhile, the government has insisted more money has been given to education than ever before -- roughly £2.7billion this year -- and it has blamed hoarding local authorities for any shortfall.

Education secretary Charles Clarke published a list of all LEAs he thought were not passing on the right amount of money to schools.

Those figures revealed that Blackburn with Darwen held back 1.8 per cent of allocated extra cash which, at £1.2million, was average compared to the 21 other North West authorities.

The LEA will now look at ways of avoiding the job cuts, including relocation and early retirement packages.

Ian Kendrick, assistant director of education and lifelong learning said: "Recent government figures show Blackburn with Darwen to be an authority that passes on funding to schools fully and I believe schools feel we are doing a good job.

"Despite this, the individual circumstances facing some schools means they have to consider some very difficult decisions over the staffing levels."

The National Union of Teachers says it will give members the chance to strike if job losses continue.

Teachers at another two other schools run by Blackburn with Darwen Council education authority are thought to be preparing to lay off staff from the September term.

These are Longshaw County Infants in Park Lee Road and Audley County Infants in Queen's Park Road. The exact number of staff affected has yet to be confirmed.

Simon Jones, Blackburn with Darwen NUT secretary, said a meeting will be held between the regional deputation of the union and the LEA to find a solution.

He added: "We back the local education authority on this. I believe the Government has made a huge mistake and is not prepared to own up to it. This is a very serious situation. It is the first time I have ever known compulsory redundancies at a time when there is ironically a shortage of teachers nationwide.

"Our sympathies are with the teaching staff affected. This is life changing for them and very disappointing at a time when staff need stability."

Head teachers at St Anthony's and Roman Road declined to comment.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: "We have not been made aware of any Lancashire schools which have declared redundancy notices because of this year's budget."