DEVELOPERS could be offered land in return for building classrooms at a Durham school.

Plans to amalgamate Durham Johnston School's lower and upper sections are being investigated by officials at Durham County Council.

The council is trying to determine whether companies or consortia would be interested in building extensions to the upper site in return for getting the lower school land for development.

Officials stress that no final decision has been taken and they are just "testing the water''.

Younger pupils attend the former secondary modern school at Whinney Hill, near Durham Prison, and older pupils are two miles away on the other side of the city, at Crossgate Moor, near Nevilles Cross.

Amalgamation plans have been considered before, but have never got off the ground because of a lack of finance.

The former grammar school is popular with parents, and regularly does well in national exam result league tables.

Developers would have to build extensions totalling more than 6,500sq metres, including general and specialist classrooms and a sports hall.

Under any deal, the firm could get the freehold to the 6.25-acre Whinney Hill site and the site of an annexe at Crossgate Moor in exchange.

Officials say they will also consider a public-private partnership, or a joint venture, if it will help secure funding for the project.

Ken Pearson, head of the council's estates division, said there was no guarantee that the scheme would go ahead.

"We're testing the water to gauge the level of interest. The feedback we get will help us determine whether progressing the scheme in this way is feasible.

"The final solution will be dependent upon satisfactory proposals being received and all necessary approvals being granted.''

The proposals are being advertised in local newspapers and trade publications.

Companies have until October 8 to submit proposals to the council.

Information is available from the Director of Corporate and Legal Services (estates division) at County Hall, Durham, 0191-383 3912.

Site visits for interested companies will be held on Wednesday, August 22 and Tuesday, September 4.