SCHOOLS in Dudley will benefit from £1.7 million to ensure there are enough places for pupils.

Dudley Council will receive the cash over a three year period from the Governments Basic Need Allocation.

The allocation is based on current pupil numbers and the demand for extra school places in the near future.

Councillor Tim Crumpton, cabinet member for children's services, said: "The money will be used to ensure that we have adequate school places and our children have access to the very best education.

"We have a close working relationship with our schools and we are already in talks with a small number of primary schools where we know we have a need for some extra places and work is under way to plan how to allocate the resources."

Dudley South MP Chris Kelly, has welcomed the news and believes it will give every young person the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

Mr Kelly said: “It is great news for young people in Dudley and the Black Country. This is part of our long-term plan to create an education system that gives young people who want to work hard the skills they need to get on in life and have a more secure and better future.”