CHURCH school bosses today accused the government of letting down East Lancashire pupils after it failed to hand out any money to improve classrooms.

But Hyndburn MP Greg Pope today said he was surpised they were complaining and had received money in previous years.

Canon Peter Ballard, director of education for Blackburn Diocese, said six voluntary aided schools from the diocese applied for funding from the Department of Education to help with building works and placements for pupils.

Of the four that were successful only one was from East Lancashire -- Whalley C of E Primary School, in Church Lane, Whalley, is set to receive £416,000.

Alisdair Coates, headteacher at the voluntary aided St Christopher's C of E High School, in Queens Road West, Accrington, said his school is already massively oversubscribed with 940 pupils in a school built for 675. That figure is expected to rise again in September.

Despite being placed high on the priority list by Lancashire County Council, the school was overlooked.

Mr Coates said: "We are very disappointed at the announcement and the failure of the government to meet their side of a partnership arrangement.

"The church, the Local Education Authorities and parents have supported our bid and parents have even given their financial backing to the scheme and stand ready to fund their share of it. The government is failing to meet its obligations to our youngsters." Mr Coates called his school one of the most popular and over-subscribed schools in Lancashire, and pointed to several inadequacies "such as a library half the size it should be, a lack of adequate changing facilities and the continued classroom shortage."

Canon Ballard said: "I think East Lancashire has missed out again and there are schools which are desperate for that money. I am obviously delighted for the other schools but sad that East Lancashire has missed out."

But Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said he was surprised that Blackburn Diocese was complaining and Mr Coates should understand that funding would come his way eventually.

He said: "While I understand and sympathise with the problems that St Christopher's faces. They have had money in previous years and will have again in future years.

"I shall take this matter up with ministers if Alisdair Coates wishes me to and if he wants to have a meeting with me early in the New Year then I will be more than happy to do so."

The money is part if a £620million for investment in state schools by the government for 2001/02, including £161million for voluntary aided schools -- mainly church schools. The money is part of the Government's three-year plan to reduce overcrowded classrooms.

Blackburn with Darwen is to receive £194,000 as part of its Annual Capital Guidelines (ACG), with £54,000 of that for voluntary aided schools.

Lancashire County Council has been awarded £3,309,000 ACG with £378,000 going towards Voluntary Aided Schools.