A school which has been fund-raising for more than a year is in a race against time to find £4,000 - or lose half a million.

Tideway Community School in Newhaven pledged to raise £50,000 to secure a £125,000 Government windfall plus an extra £123 per pupil for four years, a total of £500,000 extra cash.

But despite frantic efforts it is £4,333 short and the deadline is on Friday.

The school hopes to submit plans to the Department For Education And Skills to become a specialist technology college.

It must show it has raised £50,000 itself and half that has to have come from private investors like local businesses.

If the school succeeds, it will be able to start planning how to transform teaching and learning using the latest technology.

If it fails, the whole process must be started virtually from scratch.

Tideway pupils, teachers and staff have worked overtime for the past year in their attempt to reach the golden figure.

They held non-uniform days and sponsored events and many parents made personal donations.

Now they are appealing urgently to firms and individuals for some last-minute help.

Headteacher Adrian Money said: "I am absolutely overwhelmed by people's generosity. So many parents have contributed and I am also very grateful to the PTFA for their £1,000 donation.

"Local businesses, notably CD Jordan & Sons, Susman Best Beef Biltong Co, Automobile Services and Sign Of Four, have also been very generous and it is such a pity we are just £4,333 short and could miss the deadline."

If Tideway is successful, it intends to work with other schools in Newhaven and with Sussex Downs College to raise educational standards across the town.

It also wants to provide computer classes for parents and work with disadvantaged and vulnerable youngsters.

Anyone who wants to offer cash should call 01273 517601.