CONTRACTORS are to be called in to build a link between two schools which are being merged.

As reported in The Northern Echo on Monday, Linthorpe infants and junior schools in Middlesbrough, will be joined from January 1.

It was revealed yesterday, that £750,000 is to be spent on a building project, physically linking the two schools.

The Office of Schools adjudicator found: "Leadership and management in both existing schools is very good. There is no reason why they should not be very good in an amalgamated school, provided the governors of the new school build on the undoubted expertise of the existing staff and governors, including the leadership of both the infant and junior schools.''

Councillor Paul Thompson, executive member for education for Middlesbrough Council, said: "We hope that this decision will substantiallyre- assure the whole school community.

"We have always said that amalgamation was about providing a sustainable future for the school community and building on the excellent record of the existing schools.

"I am sure we can incorporate their many strengths in the new school."