PLANS for an extra classroom block have been devised to cope with an expected baby boom in the Bacup area.

Birth rates in the Rossendale town rose by just over 17 per cent between 2001-02 and 2010-11, leaving an accommodation headache for education bosses.

But proposals have now been put forward to build an extension to Britannia Community Primary, in Rochdale Road, to meet the expected demand.

The decision to choose Britannia for the project was taken after consulting the headteachers of schools in the Bacup and Whitworth areas.

Land to the rear of the existing school will be used and an initial 15 pupils will join the school’s roll this September.

The ‘bulge’ is only expected to last for the seven years the age group takes to complete their primary education but pupil numbers will be kept under close scrutiny.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: “Following a detailed feasibility study, which was completed in October 2013, the most practical and appropriate location for was determined.

“The location of the new classroom has been selected taking in to account the potential impact on nearby residents and balancing this with the needs of the school in relation to the key stage the classroom will serve.

“Currently the proposed location is screened on all relevant boundaries, which provides sufficient cover and privacy. “ Rising birth rates have seen similar extensions in Burnley, West Craven and Pendle.