A Peterlee school which won specialist status earlier this year has opened refurbished science laboratories.

Dene House Comprehensive has been renamed Dene Community School of Technology after the Government gave it technology college status.

The school was given extra money to upgrade its ageing laboratories, and work on three rooms has been completed.

The school's head of science Trevor Tate hopes that the remaining laboratories will be modernised by 2002.

The completed rooms were officially opened on Wednesday by Roderick Wilkins, of high-tech firm Electronic Data Systems, which has close links with the school.

The firm is helping to raise academic standards in the school by providing industrial mentors for pupils, work experience placements and guest speakers.

One of the laboratories has been decorated in the colours of the company in appreciation of its backing.

School head Elaine Hamilton said: "I am convinced that our link with local companies such as EDS, Caterpillar Peterlee, HSBC, McDonald's and NSK helped us to be successful the first time we applied for specialist school status.

"I am extremely grateful for their support and advice.''

Later this term, the school's science information, communication technology centre will be refurbished.

It will be painted in the black and yellow colours of Caterpillar Peterlee and renamed the caterpillar ICT room in recognition of the support the company has given