SAINSBURY'S is preparing to fund a seven-figure revamp of Christopher Whitehead High School to end the long-running St John's store wars, the Evening News has learnt.

Sainsbury bosses hope the package will kill off the prospect of Tesco winning the battle to open a supermarket in the area.

Sainsbury's has permission to build in Swanpool Walk after winning its five-day appeal against the city council, which refused it.

But, in order to build the supermarket, it needs to purchase a "ransom strip" of land belonging to Worcestershire County Council.

Tesco, meanwhile, wants to build a supermarket 100 yards away on the school site, which needs a £4m revamp.

In return, Tesco is offering to build a new, £10m school on the outskirts of the city to replace it.

This has left the county council with a headache.

The county favours the option of a new school, but does not have the support of parents who are reluctant to see their children travel long distances to school.

However, the Evening News has learnt Sainsbury's is hoping to solve the council's dilemma by offering to fund the school refurbishment itself.

It has floated the idea in preliminary talks with council bosses, the school and city MP Mike Foster, the Evening News understands.

Mr Foster confirmed he had spoken with a developer, but refused to confirm it was Sainsbury's.

"I have held private talks with a developer about ways of keeping the school where it is, but also tackling some of the investment issues the school has, which make a new building such an attractive option," he said.

"My constituents have made it clear to me they have misgivings over transferring pupils to a new school.

Development

"My view all along on the issue of supermarket development in St John's is to get the maximum benefit for the local community, given there is going to be a supermarket.

"It is not quite a case of squeezing the developers until the pips squeak - but it is that type of approach."

Paul Tunney, Sainsbury's property company regional executive, insisted the reports were speculative and denied it had spoken to the council or school, but added it was considering all options to secure its new store.

"There have been suggestions that the school's predicament could be addressed by funding, or part-funding, from a third party," he said.