AN innovative education project that hit financial problems last month is back on track.

The £4.87m scheme to create an education centre on the Skerne Park estate, in Darlington, ran into problems last month, when it was revealed the project was over-budget because of rising steel prices.

But a meeting of school governors on Monday unanimously agreed to scale down the size of the school building to bring the project back from the brink, although it will still cost more than the original £4.5m estimate.

Originally, the plans for the school included space for 420 pupils, but now it will accommodate 360 youngsters, in line with falling rolls.

The education centre will be the first of its kind in the region and will see integrated early years and adult education services under one roof.

Working in conjunction with SureStart, the Neighbourhood Nursery and the Adult Education Service, the school will form a one-stop centre for the community of Skerne Park.

It will include an integrated nursery with care facilities, 12 classrooms, small group teaching areas, a studio, a creative room, a large hall and wireless information technology systems.

A planning application for the school is to be considered by Darlington Borough Council's planning committee later this month.

If the scheme is approved, work will start in October, with the school opening in September next year, as originally planned.

Councillor Cyndi Hughes was involved with a review of primary education in the borough, which revealed the numbers of pupils is likely to fall.

She and the other ward councillors for Park East, Glen Reynolds and Joe Lyonnette, had recommended the plans for the school should be scaled down to reflect the falling numbers and reduce the cost of the building.

Headteacher Di Teasdale said: "It is fantastic to finally get this wonderful scheme approved. Staff and children are looking forward to working in their new school and I know we will get enormous benefits from the wonderful facilities."

Councillor Stephen Harker, Darlington council's cabinet member for education, said the centre would be a first- class facility that will benefit the whole community.