A NEW £1.2 million school has been opened in Tyldesley for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

The mayor of Salford Councillor Barry Warner was invited to help unveil a plaque at Highlea School with the mayor of Wigan Cllr Joan Hurst - because the school is actually situated within Salford council's boundaries.

However the school on Mosley Common Road will only take pupils from the Wigan Borough.

The school has been custom built to meet the particular needs of its 32 pupils.

Specialist classrooms have been built to offer modern-up-to-date facilities, including a science room, a technology room, an art room and food technology room.There will also be a sports hall.

Four residential units for six pupils each, and two semi-detached houses have been provided for pupils who also board at the school.

Cllr Brian Wilson and MP Terry Lewis were among other guests at the ceremony who mingled with parents, governors, former teachers and friends of the school.

Cllr Wilson, cabinet member for lifelong learning was a governor of Highfield school 14 years ago. He joked: "We've got a little bit of Wigan in Salford. It will improve the culture of Salford!"

Highlea is the result of a review of Wigan special schools and is built on the site of Holmlea, a former social services assessment unit which was annexed to Highfield residential special school in 1984.

Half of the students at the school are from the old Highfield School that used to operate from two buildings, and catered for primary and secondary school children.

Highlea has only taken the Highfield secondary age pupils - the remaining fifty percent of students are new admissions from the Wigan borough.

Staff at Highfield, except primary education workers, had to re-apply for their jobs at Highlea.

Mayor of Wigan Mrs Hurst unveiled a commerorative plaque in the newly refurbished building, and she and Mr Warner were presented with flowers.

She said: "I wish you every success in the future."

Cllr Wilson added: "The school is set to flourish with the much needed investment. You wouldn't believe the financial manoeuvres needed to get the extension paid for. It's an investment for the future. We want to provide a building worthy of the pupils. It's a quality building."

Chairman of the Governors Clive Gardiner paid tribute to the hard work and commitment shown by staff.

He said the last few years had been uncertain for them:

"For a while we were not sure the improvements would happen. Then, all the staff had to re-apply for their jobs, and then there was the physical move to the new building.

"I would like to thank staff for the support they've given."

He added he hoped the new facilities would allow the good work to continue for "a great many years."

Headteacher John McManus said: "The facilities are a big improvement. The sports hall is vital for children who have to run off a lot of energy. The new classrooms are great."

Parent Governor Ann Neale, whose son Robert attends Highlea was impressed with facilities. She said: "The other building was outdated. This is much better."