THREE schools in the region are to play their part in attracting more teachers into classrooms.

Macmillan College in Middlesbrough; Lobley Hill Primary in Gateshead; and King James' School in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, will become designated training schools as part of the Government's bid to tackle the crisis in teacher shortages.

The schools are three of 82 which will receive £100,000 per year over two-years.

Their role will be to develop innovative teacher training practices, which include creating new ways of assessing and recording school work and results.

Other aims will be to develop and model the Graduate Teacher Programme.

The scheme is due to be announced by school standards minister Estelle Morris today.