EDUCATION chiefs from Blackburn with Darwen say they are looking forward to helping an ailing education authority which had been damned by inspectors.

The aim is for Blackburn with Darwen Council is to share the keys to its success with Rochdale education authority -- the first time an English local council has been asked to play a major supporting role to another in this way.

School standards minister Estelle Morris today announced she had called in the local education authority after a report from independent consultants KPMG slammed education in Rochdale saying there were fundamental flaws in the way it was provided. The report said these could be linked to underfunding, poor management and bad planning, and Rochdale Council faced having education removed from its control.

Estelle Morris said: "Blackburn with Darwen are ideally placed to provide the support and expertise Rochdale needs to bring about a step change in their services to schools."

She said the partnership will focus on improving Rochdale LEA's performance in the key areas of school improvement, special needs and data management.

Blackburn with Darwen Council was awarded Beacon Status for education last year.

And it is hoped the partnership will benefit the borough too by developing staff skills and promoting future partnership opportunities.

Executive member for education at Blackburn with Darwen Bill Taylor said: "At a time when education authorities up and down the country are under attack, it is important to remind everyone that there are many good ones up and down the country.

"And as a Beacon Council, we intend to make every effort to help and support another council."