Redcar and Cleveland Council has been told by the Government it can draw up a plan for a Private Finance Initiative which it is hoped will bring a £45.8m boost to the borough's schools.

The scheme could include the creation of a new £9m Roman Catholic secondary and primary school in Redcar, as well as millions of pounds worth of refurbishment work at Nunthorpe, Laurence Jackson and Bydales schools.

It is also hoped that there will be cash for two South Bank schemes: £8.9m for a new building for Gillbrook Technology College and £1.9m for a new primary school.

Council lead member for lifelong learning, Ian Jeffrey, said the plan was in its very early stages.

"Today's announcement is a major achievement for the authority against national competition.

"The investment would improve the quality of learning opportunities for our young people in the borough.

"We've reached the first stage of a process that will now involve members, officers, governing bodies and the communities of all the schools involved.

"No one is in any doubt that to take this through to a successful conclusion will depend on an excellent working relationship with all our partners."

Ashok Kumar, Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP, described the news as a '£45m Easter egg'.

"This is brilliant news which follows extensive lobbying of education ministers to see that our schools get a fair break," he said.

The authority already has a PFI scheme with the Norwich Union which will fund a new office block in Guisborough, a business park at South Bank and new council offices in Redcar