Jim Knight, minister for schools and learners, said he could see the need for a new building when he visited Todmorden High School.

And he hopes Calderdale Council will make a good argument for cash for the project.

"I hope we will get a compelling case that means we will be able to include Todmorden in that," he said.

Mr Knight said the Government is in the middle of putting together the criteria for a funding scheme which could help schools like Todmorden's.

They could be deciding which places get money by the end of the year.

The minister said he had come to Todmorden after MP for the Calder Valley Chris McCafferty insisted he see the state of the school for himself.

Mrs McCafferty, who has been campaigning for the early release of money so the school can be rebuilt, said she was delighted with Mr Knight's positive comments.

"I have been working hard for several years to make sure that ministers for education know about the problems at Todmorden, and to put over to them the strong case for a replacement school.

"Ministers have met with representatives from the school in the past but this is the first time we secured a ministerial visit."

Mr Knight was given a tour round the school by head teacher Patrick Ottley-O'Conno and was joined by director of Calderdale Council's children and young people's services Carole White, and Mrs McCafferty.

Mr Knight had been due to visit Halifax on the same day but said he had to cancel because he had been in the House of Commons with a bill until 10pm the previous night, had to be in Manchester that morning and was due to be in Crewe.

He hopes to be able to reschedule his visit to the town soon.