WIRRAL pupils and nine local schools are set to benefit from the government's new plans to rebuild or refurbish educational establishments throughout the area.

The Wirral Local Education Authority (LEA) has been allocated funds to enable the refurbishment of six schools and the replacement of three.

The initiative is part of a £4 billion schools modernisation drive by the Department for Education and Employment.

Employment and Education Secretary David Blunkett said: "Getting the basics right is not just about literacy and numeracy - it also means putting the right facilities in place so that teachers can teach and children can learn... Investment impacts positively on pupil performance, particularly in terms of improving teacher morale and motivating pupils."