PARENTS, teachers and governors are demanding that the local education authority builds a new school ahead of a proposed merger.

Durham County Council has announced plans to merge Woodhouse Close Junior School, Bishop Auckland, with nearby Woodhouse Close infants and nursery.

Although the plans are still in the very early stages of consultation, the council said it is looking to house all three schools in one location at the junior school, on Walker Drive.

Councillor Neil Foster, lead council member for education at the county council, told parents at a public meeting last week that the authority was governed by strict legislation that demanded the best value for money.

He said that it would cost in the region of £1m to use the existing junior school building as opposed to a new building, which could cost up to £4m.

But those people who were at the meeting said they would like a new school as opposed to making do with a building they fear needs too much work and is not big enough.

Junior school governor Eileen Kelly said there were a list of improvements that needed to be made to the junior school to bring it up to standard.

She said: "How much of a survey have you done? What about the infrastructure, what about the drains? What about the heating system? A new kitchen is needed.

"There is a whole list of things that you are going to have to spend money on."

Former junior school teacher Jane Armstrong said she felt that the £1m would be swallowed up quickly by the old building and said parents wanted assurances that their children would be educated to the same high standard as they are now.

She said: "We are going to lose a lot of extra space, which is vital for our children.

"We want the very best for the children of Woodhouse Close. I think you should do your sums and see if a new build isn't very far away."

Councillor Foster, who was joined by other representatives of the county council, assured the meeting that a decision had not yet been made and all their comments would be taken on board.