TWO schools have been combined into one huge building in a bid to bring them into the 21st century.

Rivington and Blackrod Lower School and Lord Street Primary were in two separate buildings. But now they have been linked together by a £725,000 state-of-the-art centre, forming one communal site.

Children now access the two schools through an impressive glass-fronted entrance in Peter Martin Street. Inside the linking building - which has been called the Pathway Centre - is a reception, staff offices, new toilet facilities, a drama workshop, extended computer suite with 50 PCs and a modern staff room complete with kitchen, relaxation and work spaces.

Money for the project, which has taken six months to complete, came from a £625,000 grant from the Department for Education and Skills, together with £50,000 from the local education authority and £50,000 from the two schools.

In addition to providing pupils from both schools with state-of-the-art facilities, the Pathway Centre will be open to the community outside of school hours.

Penny Pollard, headteacher at Lord Street School, added: "This is unique and we are already pleased with the results.

"The children love it and everyone who visits the school has been instantly impressed."