A HALF-DAY strike for protesting teachers had a mixed impact on East Lancashire schools today.

Across the area, some schools suffered severe disruptions when hundreds of teachers walked out in support of an NASUWT demonstration and rally at the Tory Party Conference, with other schools escaping relatively unscathed.

In Blackburn and Darwen an estimated 200 teachers - more than two-thirds of the district membership - went on strike, with a union spokesman saying every school looked set to be hit except Pleckgate High School, Blackburn.

Schools in Pendle, Rossendale and Burnley were also affected with teachers walking out.

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