A MASSIVE fundraising campaign is under way to help Culcheth High School secure specialist school status - but campaigners still need your help.

Staff and students have got until mid October to raise the £50,000 needed as part of its plans to become a humanities-focused school. Around half that has now been raised and a further fundraising drive is planned for September.

If the campaigning is successful it will result in a £100,000 contribution towards the redevelopment of classrooms to improve ICT facilities including video conferencing.

It would also raise the profile of subjects such as history, English and geography.

Head teacher Martyn Froggett said: "We have been working with a lot of businesses and have also been doing some fundraising ourselves."

Events coming up next month include a band night, a raffle, a choir workshop and a visit from Pemberton Old College brass band.

The school has also organised a car boot sale for September 24, where stalls will cost £8.

Mr Froggett added: "We are very confident of meeting the October deadline and we are still chasing businesses to see if they are interested in working in partnership with us.

"The benefits to the school would be huge and we would hope to use the status as a spring board to improve academic success across the school as a whole.

"I would also like to thank all the parents, pupils, members of the community and businesses that have got involved so far.

"We are very grateful for their help."

For more information about how you can get involved in the campaign, call Diane Schofield at the school on 761505.