AN £8.2M new school is being built in a County Durham village.

Durham County Council’s cabinet gave the go ahead for the new school in Bowburn, near Durham, which will also see the merger of the village’s infant and junior schools.

Bowburn councillor Maura McKeon said: “It’s fantastic there’s an £8.2m investment in my village. It’s a vote of confidence is the village.

“It’s so important Durham County Council recognises Bowburn’s potential and the needs of the community.”

The new building will be built on the site of the junior school in Surtees Avenue.

Cllr Olwyn Gunn, the council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “In 2016 we agreed, where possible, we would move towards primary schools rather than having infant and junior schools.

“This proposal to amalgamate has been welcomed by the schools themselves and by the governance of both schools.

“Not all amalgamations result in a new build school but this is the most appropriate and cost effective option for families in Bowburn.

“The existing building needs investment and significant growth in this community means more school places are required.”

House building in the area means the council expects the roll to rise from 328 to 475 by 2030.