TALKS about extra cash for a new school in east Cleveland are at a very early stage, according to the local authority.

Freebrough Community College is being created from an amalgamation of secondary schools - Warsett, at Brotton, Rosecroft, at Loftus, and De Brus, at Skelton.

East Cleveland councillor Steve Kay said the three-site college could be replaced with a new school on a single site costing approximately £16m.

Planning for the school, which will become operational in September, is already well advanced with the help of the Education Action Zone (EAZ). It includes a scheme to allow electronic links between the three sites.

At the same time, the shadow governing body of the community college, along with staff, the EAZ, and the local education authority, have been working hard to attract further funding for the new school.

Councillor Ian Jeffrey, lead councillor for lifelong learning and leisure with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: "When we consulted about the new school last year, we thought that funding would only be available for the removal of surplus places.

"However, in discussion with the Department for Education and Employment, the possibility has emerged that additional resources may be available.

"Freebrough Community College was established following widespread consultation with governors, parents, staff, pupils and the local community. Should extra money become available for the new school, we will go back to the community in order to decide how it should be spent.

"The council is not seeking to change the position of Freebrough Community College, but if new money for an improved school is available then all concerned will have to give it serious consideration."

Coun Kay said: "Of course there must be full consultation before anything can happen. Nothing is certain but the public in east Cleveland have a right to know what is going on."