A SECONDARY school has opened a £450,000 computer centre and announced that it is bidding to become a specialist technology college.

Westhoughton High School has opened the two-storey ICT (Information, Communication Technology) block which includes 58 computers and five classrooms.

Two of the classrooms can be transformed into a larger space, thanks to a folding screen.

Pupils have been enjoying lessons in the new suite since September, but in January even more people will be able to use it as adult learners will be encouraged. They can take up evening courses, Saturday classes and one-day courses in subjects including basic literacy, numeracy and ICT.

Ivan Lewis, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Adults Skills and Bury MP, declared the building officially open yesterday and praised the school's efforts to develop the curriculum for 14 to 19-year-olds.

He said: "This is an exciting time in the school's history. Encouraging the young people to become responsible citizens and work with the community can only be a good thing. ICT should be integral to everything which happens at a school. Westhoughton is going to use ICT in an imaginative and innovative way."

The school must now approach local businesses to raise £50,000 for its technology college bid.

Head Brendan Loughran hopes they will have put the bid together in time to apply for specialist status in March, but because the plan requires so much work it could end up being submitted next October.

He said: "I've worked in a technology college before and am very excited about the opportunities it can bring to a school."

"The staff know there is lots of work to do, but they all recognise the major impact it would have on the school."