THE country's first education village remains on course to open later this year.

The pioneering scheme is taking shape in the Haughton area of Darlington and, once completed, will be able to educate children from the age of three to 16.

The £35m development will bring Haughton Community, Springfield Primary and Beaumont Hill schools together under one roof.

The roofs and walls of the 1,400-pupil building have been finished, ensuring that the project will be protected from the elements until its completion date in October.

All non-teaching blocks, as well as the village's "high street", have been constructed and the internal road structure is clearly visible.

Three of eight football pitches have been seeded and contractors are beginning to install ten miles of cable and pipework around the site.

Meanwhile, more than £1.5m of fixtures and fittings have been agreed by Darlington Borough Council and project developer the Kajima Corporation. They include computer systems, interactive whiteboards and sports equipment.

There will be a 25-metre swimming pool and a hydrotherapy pool, a village green, artificial cricket square, multi-use games area, performance hall, with separate dance and drama studios, and music rooms.

Chris McEwan, Darlington council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "We are well on the way to seeing our dream vision of inclusive and quality education for Darlington take shape before our very eyes.

"Once complete, the education village will provide modern facilities and an inclusive approach to education that ensures every pupil achieves their potential."

The scheme is one of several developments taking place in the Haughton area.

The £170m Central Park scheme, providing offices and housing, will create thousands of jobs.

Darlington College of Technology is also relocating to the area in a £30m move from the town's Cleveland Avenue.