WORK to transform a secondary school in Hartlepool began yesterday.

Canon David Whittington, director of education for the Durham Diocese, cut the first sod for the £10m project at St Hild's Church of England Voluntary Aided School.

At present the school is on sites on either side of the town's King Oswy Drive and the building, which will include classrooms, technology and computer suites, laboratories and an art room, will be all on one site.

Also included in plans for the two-storey school will be a main hall, dining hall and a sports hall, which can be converted into one large function area by opening partitions electronically.

Featuring domed roofs and a stained-glass window in the main hall, the building will also have an outdoor ampitheatre that can be used for lessons.

It is hoped the building, which has received money from the Government's fund for church schools, will be ready by next summer.