PLANS to build a secondary school in Peterlee as part of an ambitious modernisation programme have been welcomed.

The school would be built on the site of Shotton Hall Comprehensive as part of Durham County Council's £90m Building Schools for the Future proposals, which are being submitted to the Government for approval.

But the plan would also mean the closure of Dene House Community School of Technology, and a new school built for the town.

Roy Simpson, chairman of Shotton Hall's governors, said: "The school has been so successful in recent years.

"Its examination results have improved by 80 per cent and the community developments here are so innovative that they have featured in both a BBC Radio 4 programme, and a Government think tank report, as best practice.

"We are delighted to hear that there is to be a new £25m 'super school' here at Shotton Hall School and a new primary school which will ensure our close family of schools' relationships with Shotton Hall Junior and Shotton Hall Infants Schools continue."

The bid to the Government, approved by the council last week, was criticised by local councillor Gordon Tennant who said Dene House was an excellent community school.

He questioned why another option, which would not have involved closing Dene House, and had their support, was chosen but was told that that option was thought unlikely to get Government backing.