A total of 69 schools across the South West will benefit from £22.5million to improve facilities - with more than £2.4million allocated to Gloucestershire.

The money pot is part of a larger £560million sum announced by Boris Johnson last month as part of his New Deal for Britain, to help the nation bounce back from coronavirus by investing in infrastructure and skills and creating jobs.

Funding will be used to repair and upgrade school facilities and create modern, fit-for-purpose spaces that meet schools' needs. It also allows for a small number of expansion projects to increase school capacity.

Forest of Dean schools are set to receive the largest investment within the county, with a £778,391 allocation split between Dene Magna School and The Dean Academy.

A total of £662,777 will also be split between Chosen Hill School and Bishops Cleeve Primary Academy and a further £582,215 between Cirencester College and St David's Church of England Primary School in the Cotswolds.

Smaller funds of £206,916, £129,574 and £124,620 are also being provided to Denmark Road High School in Gloucester, Thomas Keble School in Stroud and Charlton Kings Infants' School in Cheltenham respectively.

Projects will range from the upgrading of boilers to new green, energy-efficient models, to the complete refurbishment of a classroom block with brand new facilities.

The works can begin as soon as schools are ready, and the majority should be completed this financial year.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: "Investing in our school and college buildings helps create modern environments that lend themselves to great teaching, making sure every child has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

"We have worked at great speed to release this additional £560million of condition funding to schools for projects this year to kick-start the economy and get the country moving again following coronavirus."