Children across the district will no longer have to put up with leaky schools as Bradford Council launches a £1.7 million drive to repair school buildings.

The Council has announced that 10 schools will benefit from the huge cash injection under the government's New Deal for Schools scheme.

And councillors are hoping the money is only the thin end of the wedge as they will be bidding for a further £10 million to pay for repairs to Bradford's crumbling schools.

Holmefield First School in Eversley Drive, Bradford, is the biggest winner in the handout with a total of £503,580 earmarked for a two-year refurbishment programme.

Headteacher Christine Harrison said the money would be spent re-roofing, replacing metal windows, a new boiler and some internal remodelling.

Internal building will improve the facilities at the 40-year-old building and installing fencing is also on the cards to boost security.

Aireview Infants School in Silsden is set to be on the receiving end of £341,000.

Headteacher Vicky Bottomley said the building dates from 1876 and urgently needs a replacement for the flat roof and new windows.

Wyke Manor School is also set for at least a partial re-roofing programme after it was given £220,000 under the scheme to ditch the flat roof in one section of the school in favour of a pitched roof.

The news will be put before councillors at Wednesday's meeting of the resources and buildings sub-committee.

Chairman Councillor Jean Ellison said she looked forward to some major improvements being carried out but she admitted there was still a great deal of work to do before all schools in the district were up to scratch.

Other schools to benefit are: Blakehill First School, Highfield Road - £110, 484, Crossley Hall First School, Thornton Road - £187,000, St John the Evangelist RC, Beacon Road, £55,000, St Joseph's College, Cunliffe Road - £44,000, Southmere First School, Ewart Street - £77,000, The Grange - £88,000, Worthinghead First School, Wyke Lane - £165,000.

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