Pupils and teachers at two York church schools were today sharing an early Christmas present of nearly £1million.

All Saints' RC and Manor CE Schools have won Government backing for two major building projects costing £500,000 each over three years.

Governors at the two church schools, which had to bid for the money, will pay 15 per cent of the cost, and the Government the other 85 per cent.

The announcement was part of an £85 million three-year package for voluntary-aided schools across the country.

All Saints' is to get a new four-classroom block, costing £548,000, at its lower school site in Nunnery Lane, the former Bar Convent School site.

Head teacher Adrian Elliott said the site was currently overcrowded and some of the buildings dated back to the 17th century.

The building project would also include new toilets, and the existing toilets and a redundant classroom would be converted into new office accommodation.

For All Saints', the news comes months after it won joint language college status with Millthorpe School.

Dr Elliott said: "This is the first major building programme on the lower school site and we're delighted. It has been a marvellous year for the school."

Manor School will get a performing arts and music block, costing £510,000.

Head teacher Peter Smith said: "At the moment we have got nowhere for performing arts other than the hall, which is used for so many other things like PE, lunches and assemblies."

He said the new block, which would be built on top of a flat-roofed section of the school, would include a performance hall and practice rooms, freeing up other rooms. It would also include a new corridor, an extended reception area and improved office space.

"This will have a knock-on effect to improve the infrastructure of the school, which was built for 350 pupils and now has 640. We're absolutely delighted."

Schools minister Jacqui Smith also announced the 2001/2 allocation for all building projects at voluntary aided schools, for each local education authority area.

North Yorkshire will get £976,000, the East Riding £55,000 and City of York £138,000, which includes £15,000 covering the first year of the All Saints' and Manor projects.

Another announcement was the amount of credit approvals allocated to each council for 2001/2, available to pay for providing new places and removing surplus places.

North Yorkshire will get £6,064,000, East Riding, £3,793,000 and City of York, £229,000.

janet.hewison@ycp.co.uk