A SECOND set of summer schools will be opened in Blackburn and Darwen following the success of the first scheme in the borough.

The Government has announced £1million funding for 25 projects nationwide.

The scheme, supported by local colleges, will be aimed at young people from the Asian community and pupils with special needs.

Links with the youth community service will be used to make sure the project is a success.

Around 400 pupils, aged between 11 and 16 from nine secondary schools and a special school in Blackburn and Darwen, will be offered places.

Lessons will concentrate on communication technology, sports and the arts and will be based at Blackburn College and St Mary's College.

The scheme will run in the first two weeks of August.

The latest round of summer schools was announced in the House of Commons by Education and Employment minister David Blunkett.

He said: "It is vital that every youngster has the chance to fulfil their potential, regardless of background.

"We need to help schools and others to reach out to young people who are not taking part. This new round of summer schools will help achieve that."

Education and training chairman Bill Taylor said: "This is yet more great news for Blackburn with Darwen Council and the children in our schools.

"Hundreds of young people will benefit from this learning project in a safe environment and have fun learning useful new skills to help them in their future.

"And yet again the new education authority is using established links with partners such as Blackburn and St Mary's Colleges to help boost education standards across the borough."

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