ONE of the largest construction companies in the world is in talks to establish the country's first education village in the region, The Northern Echo can reveal.

The Kajima Corporation, an international property and construction firm, is first choice to create the £34.9m super-school, capable of educating children from the age of three to 16.

Darlington has been earmarked to pioneer the project, which could form part of the Government's blueprint for schools.

The proposed campus will be built on the site of Haughton Community College under the Private Finance Initiative.

Haughton Comprehensive, Springfield Primary and Beaumont Hill Special schools would be amalgamated, allowing 1,900 pupils to be taught on one site.

Last night, a spokesman for Darlington Borough Council confirmed that Kajima Construction Newcastle was the preferred bidder for designing and constructing the complex.

Kajima would run some school services, such as cleaning and maintenance, but overall control would remain with the local education authority.

Education spokesman Councillor Stephen Harker said: "We are very pleased with our preferred bidder. Kajima has the expertise and vision to deliver a unique facility."

Kajima is expected to submit a planning application to the council next week.

If approved, it is hoped that the education village will be ready for students at the three schools to move in by September 2005.

Funding for the scheme will also allow Harrowgate Hill Infant School to move to the site of its junior school and refurbish the site to accommodate 500 pupils.

Infants' headteacher Margaret Cunningham said: "After years of hard work, nursery children will at last be included and parents will be given the opportunity for inclusive education for children aged from three to 11 years."

Kajima has been behind some of the world's major design and construction projects, including the Hitachi headquarters, in Munich, Germany, the Berlin Grand Hotel and the Mazda Parts Centre, in Belgium.

The company was also responsible for the Saitama Football Stadium, in Japan, where England played Sweden in last year's World Cup Finals.