WORCESTERSHIRE schools will be getting nearly £21 million over the next three years for school maintenance and repairs.

The money is part of a £4 billion modernisation programme announced by the Government to completely rebuild or refurbish schools.

The Worcestershire grant breaks down into three sections: £10m will go directly to schools for repairs and maintenance; £9m will go to the Local Education Authority to improve the condition of schools; £1.5m will be "Seed Challenge" money which schools can bid for to use of smaller projects, but they must also match fund.

Head of education policy Colin Weeden said although this grant is not as much as last year, it is still badly needed money.

"This cash injection means we can work towards getting all our pupils into modern environments which are cleaner and safer. Improved teaching facilities go a long way towards fostering higher standards," he said.

The £10m grant for the schools has not yet been shared out and the LEA is liaising with the schools to determine which schemes it will tackle first with its £9 allocation.

Neither of Malvern's secondary schools are likely to get a share of this year's council grant as Dyson Perrins High School has recently had a £2.3m grant for building work and Worcestershire County Council said urgent work is not needed at The Chase.