BOLTON education chiefs were celebrating after receiving more than £350,000 to boost literacy and numeracy among secondary school children. The cash from the Government will go to all secondary schools in the borough to improve standards among 11 to 14-year-olds.

It will be spent on books and other materials, education consultants to train teachers and £100,000 will be spent on creating literacy and numeracy summer schools.

Bury secondary schools will receive £320,000.

Bolton Council education portfolio holder Cllr Linda Thomas said: "It's great news. It means we can continue the good progress our teachers have made with literacy and numeracy in primary schools and for the first time continue into secondary schools."

The money will also be used to target schools where pupils need to catch up in the "crucial" early years of secondary school.