HARD-AT-WORK fundraisers at Malton School have received a £5,000 boost towards their £50,000 target.

The school, which must raise the cash by March if it is to gain Science College status, received the money from the Earl Fitzwilliam Charitable Trust.

The Fitzwilliam (Malton) Estate's links with Malton School go back a long way - they supplied the land to build the school on.

If Malton School is successful it will mean extra funds and the possibility of developing new laboratories and strengthening links with local primary schools.

Under the scheme the school would get £100,000 from the Government and around £70,000 per year for the next four years.

Deputy headteacher Stephen Fearnley said: "Donations like the Fitzwilliam money are a major boost.

"I think we have somewhere in the region of £38,500 at the moment, but £50,000 is still a tall order. There's a talk about gardens in Yorkshire on Thursday February 27, and then on Friday 28, Swinton Band are doing a concert for us called Swinton Goes Pop.

"We have also received help from the PTA, school governors and local businesses, as well as money from former pupils and members of staff."

Updated: 09:20 Friday, February 14, 2003