A SCHOOL community is anxiously awaiting a decision on a £1million investment by county education chiefs.

Plans to overhaul Padiham Green CE Primary have reached the final hurdle, with cabinet member Coun Susie Charles expected to decide on the project’s fate next Monday.

The St Anne’s Street school, along with Morecambe Bay Prim-ary School, was selected for priority investment under the authority’s primary schools programme.

If successful, building work could begin as soon as July.

Helen Denton, executive director for young people, said in a cabinet report: “This project is considered to be a viable and worthwhile project because it will deliver part of the school’s long-term aims from their development plan and address issues raised in a recently-conducted suitability survey.”

The extension would see larger teaching spaces created, room for a new library, and facilities for after-school services and the staff, parent and pupils’ association.

Building costs would amount to almost £700,000.

And it would be equipped with furniture and fittings totalling £28,000.

Computer and technology equipment worth another £122,000 would be included in the package.

The schools capital programme is providing £871,000 of the fund-ing and Padiham Green has offered £110,000, which it received from Whitehall.

Mrs Denton is hopeful that the new extension will be “inspirational and educationally stimul-ating”, and available for a range of school and community activities.

Once the proposals have been rubber-stamped by Coun Charles, negotiations can be finalised over tenders for the work.