BARRY'S crumbling and decrepit schools need more than £20 million to stop them falling even further into disrepair.

A survey has revealed that nearly all sites in the Vale require a massive cash injection to bring them back to a satisfactory state.

Bryn Hafren Comprehensive School is just one centre that has struggled to maintain their high standard of education in poor working conditions.

Even a recent Government inspection report published in 2001, which praised the school for its excellent academic record, highlighted the state of the buildings.

Business manager Penny Mickelsen told the News: "We know that the Vale schools work on a priority list for repairs, and it could be years before much-needed work is done.

"For us, one of the worse aspects are the 'temporary' buildings used for the sixth form block. They have been there for nearly a decade. Condensation is constant on the inside of the windows, and the students find it hard to get a quiet place to work during free periods. In fact, the lack of communal areas and the 'temporary' buildings were points brought up in the recent Estyn Report."

Head girl Amy Blight, 17, added: "We have to use our study room as a communal area. For people trying to work, it's difficult to concentrate. Also, the floors are not strong enough to even take an additional drinks machine. "Anything we've got in this room, we raised the money for ourselves. We financed the chairs and the paint for the walls.

"But I want to stress that it isn't the fault of the school. Our education is of a high standard, as is the support we get from teaching staff. But we do feel that we're hampered by our physical surroundings."

These views have been echoed by Plaid Cymru councillors who describe themselves as 'very alarmed' at the level of repairs outstanding.

Cllr Nic Hodges said: "It's no secret that parents, teachers, councillors and school governors are well aware that investments in school buildings have been inadequate for a number of years."

Leader, Cllr Chris Franks added: "I don't think our children should have to continue to put up with these problems.

"It is vital that the Government recognises the scale of this challenge. I do hope that the Vale council and the Government can work together to find the proper level of funds to speed up the backlog of repairs."

In response, Vale of Glamorgan leader Jeff James said a report on the matter would be considered by the council's cabinet following the completion of condition surveys of all school buildings.

He said: "The Welsh Assembly Government's objective is for all education accommodation to be 'fit for purpose' by 2010. But at this point in time, the council has not been allocated additional funding at a level which will enable essential work detailed in the condition surveys to be