PRIMARY schools in Worcestershire are to benefit from more than £11 million of government cash to pay for improvements.

The county was one of 133 nationally given the green light yesterday for plans to carry out refurbishments under the Department for Children, Schools and Families’ Primary Capital Funding programme.

Worcestershire County Council was awarded £4.5 million for 2009/10 and a further £6.9 million for 2010/11. To obtain this funding the county council had to submit an overall Primary Strategy Capital programme for a 14 year period.

A spokesman for the council, said: "Improving standards in schools is a county council priority and the link between the quality and condition of buildings and educational achievement has long been proven.

“That means we're very excited by the funding that has been allocated to us. The first amount of funding will be used in the Wyre Forest and contribute to the review that's taken place in the area. This involves a £60 million refurbishment of first and/or middle schools covering four year groups into primary schools containing six year groups."