And two of the area's oldest schools will, it is hoped, receive upgrades to match the region's other educational newbuilds.

Barrhead and Eastwood High have both been the source of campaigns demanding repairs and upgrades by various parties.

East Renfrewshire council will now move to secure funding from the pot of £1.25 billion released by the Scottish government last week and supported through the Scottish Futures Trust.

Education convener Alan Lafferty said: "Our aim is to provide both Barrhead and Eastwood high schools with new buildings worthy of the excellent learning and teaching that already goes on within them.

"Every party and councillor on the council is united in that".

It is proposed that both schools' life-expired 1970s buildings are replaced with campuses catering for education from the age of three, right through to school leavers at 18.

However, local Conservative and Labour party members who each launched campaigns to renovate the schools, had mixed opinions on news of a cash bonanza from Holyrood.

Ken Macintosh MSP said: "Fiona Hyslop can't even confirm she intends to build a new Eastwood high school at any point. The earliest we can possibly hope for is 2013 and that isn't good enough for pupils and parents".

Jackson Carlaw MSP added: "The clear implication of the government's announcement was that East Ren would be one of the first councils to benefit. That is my hope and expectation.

"I assume a new Eastwood high would be the council's top priority as, by its own estimations, the school building is in the poorest condition".

The SNP's Stewart Maxwell added: "This opportunity must be grasped by ERC making a bid for a share of the funding".

Details of each council to receive funding will be announced in September.