A LONG-HELD dream is finally coming true as work gets under way this month on a new school in North Yorkshire.

Ten years of planning and five years of committed fundraising have gone into the scheme to create new premises for the Church of England primary school at Grewelthorpe, near Ripon.

The £410,000 scheme will see the new building rise up on what is now part of the existing school's playing field.

The single-room school is about 125 years old and regarded as unsuitable for modern requirements.

It is cramped, prone to damp and youngsters have to toil up 52 steps to reach a temporary classroom, which has been used for 30 years.

Chairman of the governors Brian Kitching said: "Our existing building is inadequate and has been a matter of concern for many years. Our pupils, staff and parents deserve the facilities that modern-day, purpose-designed-and-built premises can offer."

The school has just over 40 pupils, and eight staff, including auxiliaries, and has held a series of fundraising initiatives to help pay for the development.

It has raised £90,000 towards the cost of the new 560sq ft building - which should be completed by the start of summer term next year.

North Yorkshire County Council and the Church of England have allowed the school governors to put the revenue from the sale of the old building, which is to be sold for housing conversion, towards the cost of the new development.

The new building will have three classrooms, one of which will have a maple floor and double as a hall and gymnasium, and a central library and reading area.

The building will also have disabled access and a catering kitchen for on-site cooking, which has not been available before.

The design and construction work is being carried out by Severfield-Reeve Projects, of Thirsk, which has experience of public sector education buildings, having completed a new sixth form block for Rossett School, Harrogate, and an IT suite at Nidderdale High School and Community College