NEARLY 140 children who are having to move house because of the dangers of asbestos are to get help with the cost of new school uniforms.

The youngsters live in Anson Close and Blenheim Close, Padgate, Warrington where 300 homes are to be demolished.

About 70 attend nearby Brook Acre primary school and 65 go to Padgate High School. A smaller number attend a range of other schools.

The borough is to start re-housing families next month and education chiefs are recommending the council cover the cost of replacement uniforms for primary age children who have to change school up to a maximum of £75 per pupil.

But because it is considered educationally undesirable to move secondary age children, the council intends to give bus passes to youngsters to enable them to stay at Padgate High until completion of the students' secondary education.

Education director Malcolm Roxburgh said: ''At this stage, pending rehousing allocations, it is impossible to be precise on the financial implications of the proposals.''