Sixth form students in Liverpool are going back to school in style - with three quarters of a million pounds worth of free stationery!

The city's Liberal Democrat Council is giving every sixth former a whopping £60 worth of the latest learning materials such as memory sticks, calculators and lever arch files. The ground breaking scheme is benefiting around 12,000 pupils aged 16-18 and is designed to help cash-strapped parents through the recession.

It is part of the 'Stay on in Liverpool' initiative and is aimed at making sure the academic year gets off to a flying start for Year 12 and Year 13 students.

The stationery packs have now been delivered to schools across the city and students at Archbishop Blanch School, L7, will be among the first to get their hands on the free kit, which is being handed over by council leader, Councillor Warren Bradley.

Councillor Bradley said: "It's crucial for Liverpool's future that we have highly skilled and well qualified young people. We have to make sure they have the equipment they need for school and that the cost of learning materials does not discourage them from continuing their studies.

"This scheme will provide our sixth formers with a real boost. It's about us making sure no student is held back at school and that everyone is given the opportunity to reach their full potential.

"Tough economic times can really impact on students - at the very time when it's more important than ever that they complete their studies and get the skills they need. This pack will help them on their way in this important stage of their education."

The council has spent £30 on stationery for every sixth form student pupil - but thanks to a specially negotiated deal with top stationery firm Office Depot, has been able to cram each pack with £60 worth of equipment.

The council consulted with teachers and sixth form students before deciding what kit should go into the stationery packs.

Hundreds of young people in care will also receive a pack as part of the scheme.

Councillor Keith Turner, executive member for education, said: "We know every single penny counts for families and we don't want young people and parents having to worry about finding the cash for essential school equipment.

"These stationery packs are a great way of congratulating our sixth form students for choosing to continue their education and showing that we are supporting them at every step of the way."

The packs include information about how students can order further school equipment from Office Depot at discounted rates, negotiated by the council with Office Depot.