Schools will have another chance to claim the costs of becoming Covid-safe, they have been promised.

A spokesman for the county council said: “We are advising all schools to record all additional expenditure related to making schools COVID secure, keeping copies of invoices to support any potential future claims."

He said schools had incurred significant costs to make settings safe and secure for both staff and pupils .

They have been able to make claims to Government for some of those costs already, related to cleaning and premises costs.

They will have a second opportunity to make further claims in the autumn, but dates have not yet been confirmed.

Maryport town council is to write to the Local Education Authority and Workington MP Mark Jenkinson about the costs after the subject was raised by councillor and Ewanrigg Junior governor David Porthouse.

Mr Porthouse said delays and worries for the future were of concerns in local schools.

He said schools who had requested grants for cleaning products and PPE had not been paid until September 3 and many still have not been paid.

"We have been told that a second grant date but nothing has been mentioned so far.

"There has been no mention of any help with the costs of continuous funding throughout the year for the extra deep cleaning and sanitisers or protective equipment.

"It was rumoured that schools would be paid around £80 extra per child to allow them to catch up but nothing has been said about that."

No further news of laptops or help for vulnerable families that was mentioned by the Government early into lockdown which will make any necessary blended learning very difficult for families who have to isolate.

"Overall children are back at least and morale is high. But I I want to know if the LEA and Government have plans to offer extra support for schools."

The LEA spokesman said: "“We recognise the additional pressure on school budgets due to increased expenditure related to COVID19 and we will be working with Members, Schools Forum and other local authorities to highlight the issue to Government.”