A school which had four days to find £4,000 or lose £625,000 reached its target after an eleventh-hour appeal in The Argus.

Tideway Community School in Newhaven needed to raise £50,000 to apply for technology college status.

A successful application will secure £125,000 cash, followed by an additional £500,000.

Just days before the deadline, the fund was £4,333 short and headteacher Adrian money appealed to everyone in his email address book, and through The Argus, to help reach the target.

Money began pouring in, enabling Mr Money to travel to London to hand in the school's application to the Government.

He said: "I am absolutely delighted so many people have been so generous.

"I would like to thank all the companies who have sponsored us and the parents and friends of the school who have made donations.

"I would also like to thank the organisations, including schools, who have written in support of our bid.

"We now have to wait to hear whether our first application to become a technology college is successful. If it is, we will gain the status in September and will immediately put into operation our plans to enhance teaching and learning through the use of ICT."

The companies which sent cash to Tideway's appeal include: Automobile Services; Brightwell Dispensers Ltd; Cash Bases Ltd; CD Jordan and Son Ltd; Denton and South Heighton JFC; Fludes Carpets Ltd; Lampons Estate Agents; Newhaven Chamber of Commerce; Parker Pen Company; Red Marketing; Seahaven Lioness Club; Sign of Four Limited; Susman's Best Beef Biltong Co; Tidemills Marine Consultancy and Truck Services of Sussex.

In addition, money was raised from two educational trust funds, individual donations of up to £2,000 and the school's own fund-raising events.