The Mayflower High School in Billericay could receive a donation of £2,000 from the town council to help its bid to become a specialist science college.

However, a number of councillors raised concerns over the payment, which will only be given to the Stock Road school if it can raise £50,000 itself to fund the project.

The cash will only be released "after written confirmation has been received that the required sponsorship money has been raised and the scheme is to proceed," it was decided.

The Billericay School, in School Road, has already raised £50,000 in its bid to become a specialist maths and computing college and is now in line to receive up to £650,000 from the Government.

A number of councillors raised concerns over the nature of the funding offered to Mayflower and the benefit to local people the money - a large part of the council budget - would constitute.

Published Monday, January 20, 2003

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