AN education boss has slammed BT for delays in connecting more than 100 schools in Salford to instant Internet access.

A deal worth £800,000 was signed in March between BT and Salford Local Education Authority for state-of-the-art IT connections.

But so far, only 12 out of 135 sites have the link they need - although BT had pledged 50 would be set up by the end of August.

BT has until April to finish the job, but blamed the council for contributing to the delays.

The council has spent £2.5m on computer equipment for classrooms and libraries in the city, but the delays mean most do not offer high-quality Internet links.

The connections would also allow video conferencing, give every child an e-mail address and mean youngsters could not access inappropriate sites.

Education spokesman Coun Keith Mann said: ''This work would mean £800,000 for BT, plus around £800,000 a year in revenue to them.

''It doesn't make sense and it's extremely frustrating for us. We are becoming increasingly impatient.''

Hope High School head teacher Alan Hewitt added: ''It's so frustrating to be waiting now the computers have been delivered.''

BT spokeswoman Anne Crowther said: ''The contract was in five phases to be delivered between May 2001 and April 2002.

''BT has slipped a little on the first two phases, for which we apologise.

''We have delivered 12 sites, 23 are under construction and we are doing all we can to minimise further delays.

''However, Salford council also undertook to do some internal wiring - and I understand their timescales have also slipped.

''We meet on a daily and weekly basis and they had not told us we were failing their expectations.''