A SCHOOL is appealing for a private company to help it pay for a range of new facilities.

Hurworth Comprehensive must raise another £15,000 in six months to reach its target of £50,000 to bid for specialist maths and computer status.

If it fails to raise the money it will not be able to bid for the Government status this year and will lose £20,000 of the money that has already been raised.

That money has come from a Tees Valley Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) grant and is only available to the school, near Darlington, until December.

Pupils and staff have held a number of fundraising events, but headteacher Eamon Farrarr is concerned that they will not be able to raise enough money before the deadline.

Now he hopes a private company in the region will come to the rescue.

He said: "We will not reach the last £15,000 by small donations or through fundraising events.

"We have only six months left, and the only way we can hope to hang on to the TEC grant and make up the rest is by finding a benefactor or business sponsor.

"By raising standards in maths and computing, local businesses will also benefit, as well as the youngsters."

If the bid is successful, the school will receive more Government funding to improve maths and computing facilities. It will also develop a range of courses for the wider community.

Anyone wishing to help the school is asked to call (01325) 720424 or (01325) 721188