STAFF at an overcrowded Brierfield primary school have been told work on a new school could start this year.

Education chiefs have given the green light for a new Holy Trinity RC School to be built on derelict land off Heyhead Street.

The new building, with four classrooms and a hall, will replace the existing 96-year-old school in Richard Street.

Head teacher John Connolly said staff and parents were delighted at the news.

"This move has been on the go for 20 years," he said. "People have told us we need a new school but nothing has come of it.

"The parents are delighted because they know how many years we've been waiting and what poor facilities we've got. "The kids here are marvellous and they deserve a good school building."

The original hall has been turned into classrooms because of lack of space. One small room serves as the head teacher's study, the secretary's office, the staff room and as a medical room.

"We've a dining room that is below ground level and which has water running through it when it rains," said Mr Connolly.

The new school, which will need planning permission from Pendle Council, is to be built on county council-owned land.

It will be designed to hold 105 pupils, the same number currently on the school's roll.

The Department of Education has given the new building the go-ahead and building work is expected to start before the end of the year.

It is unclear yet what will happen to the existing building, which is owned by the Salford Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church.

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