CITY of York was awarded almost £700,000 today for improved school buildings and better access for disabled pupils.

The city council will receive £353,000 from a £512 million fund for building projects to create more pupil places.

It has also been allocated £328,000 under the £100 million School Access initiative, to allow disabled youngsters to attend mainstream schools.

The executive member for education at City of York Council, Janet Looker, said the funding would be very welcome.

She said: "We want every child who wants to go to mainstream school to go. It should not be the physical aspect that makes it difficult. I know we will be able to make good use of the money."

She said funding for school building was also good news. An assessment management plan for building work showed there was a lot of work to be done and the money would be helpful.

North Yorkshire will receive £8.016 million for school buildings and £1.089 million to improve access for the disabled.

The Government says it will be spending £3.8 billion on capital projects in schools in 2003/4, compared with only £700 million in 1996/7, before it came to power.

David Miliband, the schools minister, said: "This increased level of funding reflects our continuing strong commitment to ensuring that schools offer an environment that supports higher standards.

"It will be good news for pupils in our schools, as well as for their parents and teachers, school governors and local education authorities. Fully-modernised and well maintained schools have an important role in raising educational standards and we are determined to deliver attractive, accessible and effective learning environments for all our children and young people."

Further cash announcements for new buildings will be made in March, including awards under the controversial Private Finance Initiative.

Updated: 12:19 Thursday, December 19, 2002