MILLIONS of pounds spent on heating and roof repairs will prepare Lancashire schools for winter.

A £5million programme of repair work has seen pipes replaced, plus new heaters and boilers installed at schools by Lancashire County Council Among the hightest repair bills was £267,000 on replacement tiles and roof cladding at the Hollins Technology College in Accrington.

Oswaldtwistle School Rhyddings Business and Enterprise College saw £225,000 spent on replacement of heating pipework. Other schools to benefit include £121,500 of work to reslate roofs at Padiham Green CE Primary and £27,000 to replace boilers at Brunshaw Primary in Burnley.

County Coun Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, signed off the programme of work.

He said: “It’s good to be able to channel money towards making schools warm and watertight —after all, these are basic things schools need to provide a good environment in which pupils can learn.

“I'm sure some of these schools will be delighted that they don't have to nurse their ageing boiler through another winter.

“These upgrades make schools warmer, greener, and less likely to have to close in severe weather.”

Almost 40 primary and secondary schools around the county have had much-needed repairs.

At Pendle View Primary School, a repalcement of roof coverings cost £135,000. Helmshore Primary school has had a £45,000 replacement of heating pipework and at Haslingden High School £36,000 was spent on replacing defective heating cabinets.