Schools in Brighton have had more than £1 million earmarked to cope with the after-effects of a baby boom in the Nineties.

Primary and secondary schools will spend the money on extra classrooms to cater for the unusually high number of children born in the Brighton and Hove area around a decade ago.

The council's education executive meets tomorrow to ask the policy and resources committee for £940,000 for two of its schools.

The over-subscribed Longhill School in Ovingdean, Brighton, needs £540,000 to fund an extension to meet demand for places for 11 to 16-year-olds.

Meanwhile, Elm Grove County Primary School requires £400,000 for two extra classrooms and a dining and kitchen area.

A council spokeswoman said: "I'm not sure why so many children were born at one stage, apart from the obvious, but we need the extra investment to cope.

"We are expecting the numbers to start dropping a little by about 2002."

In addition, Hove Park School is to get nearly £134,000 from the Government's Science Improvement Programme to build new laboratories, while money will also be used to upgrade science facilities at Blatchington Mill and Varndean schools.

Blatchington Mill, designated a specialist performing arts school, is getting £100,000 from the Government to develop its strength.

Brighton and Hove executive councillor for education, Frieda Warman-Brown, said: "We are continuing to bid successfully for funding and to invest where it is most needed.

"Pre-school and infant education is another priority, as it ensures children get the best possible start."