LINDSAY Hoyle, MP for Chorley, visited Albany High School in the town, to check out plans for a new science lab and to appeal for sponsorship from local businesses.

Mr Hoyle saw drawings of the new building which could boost the chances of the school gaining specialist science status.

Albany needs to raise £50,000 sponsorship to bid to become a science college and gain government funding for new equipment.

The school has already secured partnerships with local primary schools and has community backing but in order to make its bid successful, it must raise the cash which is proving to be a huge hurdle.

Mr Hoyle said: "Albany would be the first school in the area to specialise in science and it would be great for its own pupils and those from the surrounding primary schools to have a dedicated facility at their disposal."