Work begins this week on creating a new children's centre at a South Shore school, but there will be some disruption to locals, Blackpool Council has warned.

Builders are due to start six months of work at Thames Primary school, Severn Road, today (March 2).

But the work means closing part of Severn Road, between Trent Road and the nearby railway track, and Blackpool Council has appealed for residents to 'remain patient'.

A new children's centre is being created, housing a pre-school centre for youngsters aged two to four, and before and after school care for primary school pupils.

The school will also get a new entrance, and local will have access to health and social care services, and a cafe, all based in the centre.

A Blackpool Council spokeswoman said: "Residents will still have pedestrian access to their properties and vehicular access to the back. Trent Road will also remain open.

"Although the building work, which has been granted planning permission, is expected to take six months to complete, the contractors hope to improve access for the benefit of residents sometime in May.

"In the meantime residents are encouraged to park sensibly and responsibly in the back street, providing they don't cause any obstructions, or utilise the resident parking scheme in the immediate area. There should also be sufficient space along the adjacent Lytham Road."

The spokeswoman added that parents of pupils at the school, unable to drive up Severn Road, will instead be able to drop their children off at South Car Park to join a 'walking bus' to the school, supervised by teachers and adult helpers.

Householders, and the emergency services, have already been made aware of the road closure, the council said. It is understood the council is also taking steps to ensure wheelie bins are still collected weekly.

The building work is being jointly funded by Sure Start, the Department for Education and Skills and Blackpool Council and is due to be completed by October.

Cllr Fred Jackson, Blackpool Council's cabinet member for the urban environment, said: "The partial closure of Severn Road is necessary to ensure the safety of site personnel and members of the public.

"We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused but we hope that the minority of residents affected by this temporary closure appreciate the long-term benefits that the project is going to bring to the school children, and the local community at large."

For more details about the road closure and the 'walking bus' please contact the Travel and Road Safety Team on 01253 476182.