AN MP has given her backing to a school's bid for specialist status.

Middlewich MP Ann Winterton said she supported the town's high school in its drive to specialise in maths, science and ICT, and called on businesses and residents to help the bid.

Lady Winterton attended the school on Friday on the invitation of Middlewich High School headteacher David Lythgoe.

She met deputy headteacher Carol Pettinger-Harte, who told the MP the school would receive about £400,000 in Government cash during the next four years if it is successful.

Lady Winterton said: 'I'm very supportive of the specialist bid. I think it's relatively early stages but they are keen to do well.'

Mrs Pettinger-Harte said: 'Lady Winterton was extremely impressed with the pupils and the school.

'She spoke to a number of pupils from a wide range of ages and abilities and we discussed the funding of small rural schools, because schools like Middlewich which don't have a sixth form are sometimes at a disadvantage.

'We also talked about our specialist status and when she had seen our ICT facilities she could see why ICT was the ideal subject for us to specialise in.'

Teachers were able to reveal that the recent in-school dancercise class had brought in more than £2,000. They now have £22,000, but need to raise £50,000 by the submission date in October to back their bid, which could then unlock the £400,000 funding.

The school can only raise £30,000 within school, the rest must come from local businesses, which have already donated £12,000.

During her afternoon visit Lady Winterton was escorted around the school to see the maths suite that was completed late last year. She was also treated to a preview of the GCSE arts display.

During the tour Lady Winterton spoke briefly to teachers and pupils as she watched lessons.

She said: 'The headteacher took me on a tour of the school so I could see the very impressive and long-overdue improvements.

'I also saw the excellent IT facilities that Middlewich has and met a young man who was doing great work on the computer.

'It was interesting to see the children working on something of great importance to the future.'