Redcar MP Vera Baird has welcomed the news that schools in Redcar and Cleveland are to be included in an extension of the national Education Action Zones programme.

There is already an education action zone in east Cleveland, but the new programme, announced by Minister for Schools Stephen Timms, will concentrate on the urban conurbation on the fringe of Middlesbrough.

The scheme aims to raise standards in schools.

Ms Baird said: "This latest government initiative, which is named Gates to Success, builds upon the brilliant work that has already been done by the Excellence in Cities team, which operates in the Redcar and Cleveland area.

"I visited the local Excellence in Cities team recently and their passion is compelling - they are going to make a major difference to our children's futures."

The schools to be included in the action zone scheme are: St Peter's Secondary at South Bank; Eston Park; Gilbrooke Technology College; Alderman William Jones Primary; Atlee Road Primary; Bankfields Primary; Beech Grove Primary; Cromwell Road Primary; Grangetown Primary; Normanby Primary; St Andrew's Primary; St Mary's Primary; St Peter's Primary; Whale Hill Primary; Wilton Primary.

Ms Baird said: "I wish them all well and I am sure that they will take full advantage of the additional resources that will start flowing into the schools next term."