STAFF and pupils who have struggled for years with outdated facilities will soon be enjoying learning in a modern £3m 'eco school.'

The old buildings at Pelton Community Primary, near Chester-le-Street, were put up more than 100 years ago and are in desperate need of repair.

The school was formerly known as Pelton Infants' and Junior School and although the two merged in September, children are still taught in separate buildings.

But now Durham County Council has put forward plans to create a flagship school for about 360 children.

The building's environmentally-friendly facilities have yet to be finalised, but are likely to include energy-saving devices such as solar panels, water recycling and bio-fuel boilers.

The plans have been made possible thanks to a successful bid by the education authority to secure £2m of Government funding.

It is hoped the development, which will cost a total of about £3.078m, will become a showpiece for the North-East, with its green facilities and built-in security measures.

Pre-school children in the area will also be catered for, with a 39-place nursery and a Sure Start office, from where staff from the agency will be able to oversee provision for children under four.

It is also hoped the new school will become the hub of the community and that people in Pelton will be able to take advantage of its facilities.

Coun Bill Laverick, who represents Pelton on Chester-le-Street District Council, said: "It is going to be more of a community facility than the old school, as certain elements will be available to local people."

The proposals were put before councillors at Chester-le-Street's planning committee meeting this week and will go before Durham County Council's planning committee for final approval.

It is expected the building will be completed in about a year's time.