STAFF and pupils at a Bolton secondary school are celebrating today after receiving specialist status to become a media arts centre.

Turton High School will become a revolutionary education centre with plans to build a media suite with TV studio, editing room, conference and projection room and cyber cafe.

From September 2001 pupils will have the chance to study sound and lighting, recording techniques, digital photography and video filming.

New teaching and technical staff will be appointed to support a wide range of new courses and extra curricular activities.

The Bromley Cross school will share its developing expertise in the media arts with partner primary and secondary schools, adult education groups and create strong links with organisation such as the North West Arts Board, Octagon theatre, Bolton Art Gallery and the British Film Institute.

Head Frank Vigon said: "This will be building on the success we have already had and I am pleased that we have persisted in such improvements for the school. We're getting £1.8 million from the Government as part of the new deal and an additional amount for the special status which makes it very exciting."

"It is going to be unique for any secondary school in Bolton and we are going to be at the forefront of educuational development.

"Teaching will be very exciting and very different and will involve every department in the school.

"This is the result of hard team work from all the staff and was not a management initiative and special thanks must go to the LEA and all of our sponsors."