EDUCATION Secretary David Blunkett heralded a new era for teacher training in Lancashire this week when he visited Croston's Bishop Rawstorne CE Language College.

After officially opening the college's Training School he moved on to Sacred Heart Primary School, in Chorley, where he was shown its new IT centre.

Bishop Rawstorne International Language College has become a centre of excellence for initial teacher training, professional development and research as part of a major government initiative.

Mr Blunkett said: "The Bishop Rawstorne Training School will make a real difference to Chorley by building up and sharing good practice with other schools and teacher training providers.

"I have been impressed by the commitment of the staff and the community here and I am pleased that we can support the school with extra money as part of our drive to raise standards in schools."

County councillor Hazel Harding, chairman of Lancashire's education committee, joined Mr Blunkett, Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle, and the county's director of education, Chris Trinick, at the official opening on Tuesday morning.

Head teacher George Lloyd said: "Our vision is to develop Bishop Rawstorne as a Regional Centre of Excellence for IT and continuous professional development, actively promoting teaching as a research-based profession. The college's renowned information and technology resources will be available to teachers to further develop their skills."

Lynda McLoughlin, head teacher of Sacred Heart, in Brooke Street, said the whole school was honoured and excited to have received a visit form Mr Blunkett who met and talked to staff and pupils. She said: "He visited our new computer suite -- it is one of our main strengths. He chatted with the children who are using the computers and I think he was very impressed with their range of skills."

She said Mr Blunkett complimented the school following its good Ofsted report.

And she added that he was also impressed that the children knew the name of his guide dog Lucy -- they had been clued up by teachers on the run up to the visit!

Lucy was even offered refreshments herself by the school -- a bowl of water and biscuits -- and went for a walk in the school grounds.

The head continued: "The whole school community really looked forward to him coming. We have three newly qualified teachers here, too, what a great start to their careers." LAUNCH: Mr Blunkett unveils a plaque, specially written in Braille.