A NEW document which aims to promote racial equality within Warrington's schools has been welcomed by education chiefs.

The document, Challenging Racism and Promoting Race Equality, has been 10 months in the planning and will now be distributed to the borough's schools following Monday's meeting of the education and lifelong learning committee.

At the meeting, Clr Celia Jordan emphasized the importance of educating children in an area such as Warrington where ethnic groups are relatively small.

"There are problems for pupils when they move away from Warrington in how they react to any people from ethnic groups," said Clr Jordan.

"It would be marvellous if we can use education to provide role models for children."

Malcolm Roxburgh, education director, agreed that although Warrington has a relatively small number of people from ethnic minorities, often this can create more problems with racism than in areas with large ethnic groups.

"Where we have very small numbers of ethnic minority groups, the potential for racism is often greater because the knowledge base is much lower," he said.

Clr Paul Ross, education committee chairman, added: "We should not underestimate the role that schools can and do play in changing attitudes and behaviour in this and the next generation."

Cheshire Police has also supported the new document, which outlines the new requirements for schools in dealing with racism.

A Cheshire Police spokesman, commenting on the report, said: "We support this document in its entirety."

"We believe that it will provide effective guidance and maintain a consistent approach for all agencies involved in tackling these important issues."