THREE Craven schools are set to benefit from a windfall payment from the county council.

From April education chiefs have given the go-ahead to a budget of £35 million - £8 million more than the current year - to be spent in schools across the county.

In Craven, Giggleswick Primary, South Craven and Upper Wharfedale schools are set to receive £500,000 apiece, with the money used to improve facilities.

At South Craven, which has just secured technology status, the school will receive four science laboratories.

"We very much welcome the money as a step forward towards replacing the temporary buildings in two years time," said headteacher Andrew Cummings.

Giggleswick will use its money to build a two-storey extension.

Currently children spend their earliest school days in temporary classrooms erected in the Sixties. Classes one, two and three use Portacabin type buildings and class four uses part of the school hall.

The new money will be used to provide a two-storey extension, linked to the main building, accommodating all pupils on one site.

Giggleswick head Anne Michelmore-Brown said: "We are really excited that after many years of pleading the decision has been finally agreed to allow us this generous amount of money.

"Subject to planning permission and many more meetings the new extension will accommodate all the classrooms and admin space which is desperately needed."

At Upper Wharfedale, the extra cash will fund a classroom extension.

Headteacher Phil Bennington said: "We are delighted to have been allocated this money which will go towards replacing six temporary classrooms which have been here for some years now.

"The new build has now gone for planning permission with a view to starting work sometime in summer."