A "THRILLING" school development moved a step closer after councillors backed plans to transform a Worcester primary school.

Proposals to build a state-of-the-art school to replace Elbury Mount Primary, in Fairfield Close, have been approved by city councillors.

The new school is set to be built just behind the present site and based around a circular school hall, with offices, ICT rooms, dining area and classrooms attached.

Changing facilities for PE, an outdoor teaching area, environmental science garden, a sports pitch and playground and a 50-space car park are also included in the plans.

There will also be a conservatory to link the school with The Fairfield Centre and when completed, the original 1950s school will be demolished.

Worcestershire County Council's Planning and Regulatory Committee will decide whether to approve the plans on Tuesday, June 8.

"I am hopeful it will go through because the whole of the site is really very fascinating," said county council cabinet member for education, June Longmuir.

"There will be a new school, a total community centre with a range of facilities for early years education.There is already a range of teaching skills and eventually, it will also have a health centre.

"I think this is a remarkable uplift for the area and it's what I've been working for for three years."

Elbury Mount is undergoing a fresh start - it will close on Tuesday, August 31 and re-open the next day as a new school - after a history of declining rolls and concerns over standards.

However, in the past six months, under the guidance of acting headteacher Julia Rogula, pupil numbers and standards are both on the up.

"I'm thrilled with this development and now we have put this school into a fresh start we are getting a lot more involvement from parents," added Miss Longmuir.

"The morale of the school is bucking up and we are in the early stages of an outstanding job. I think this will make all the difference."

If permission for the project is given, construction work at the Brickfields school should start in the summer.