A GROWING village is poised to have a new nursery created in an extension to an existing school.

The proposed nursery, at Lumley Medway Infant School, in Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street, would cater for 52 three-to-four-year-olds each day.

Governors at Medway have agreed to proceed with the planned unit, which would see the school catering for youngsters in the entire age span from three to seven years.

The nursery addition is subject to the outcome of a two-month public consultation in the village.

Proposals put forward would require the building of an extension to the existing school, with additional car parking and other on-site alterations.

It would cost an estimated £215,000, which would be joint-funded by the Government and the local education authority, Durham County Council.

Local county councillor Brian Walker, who chairs the board of governors at Medway, said: "Chester-le-Street, as a whole, has a significant number of children who don't get nursery education before starting reception class.

"A new nursery unit at Lumley Medway would alter the pattern of provision and travel among children and parents.

"About 90 children are in reception classes in the three primary schools in the area, but there are something like 60 pre-school places.

"A new nursery unit would fully meet this shortfall and redistribute the attendance at nursery for a significant number of children."

He said that now "the ball is rolling", the consultation period would help to glean the views of villagers.

Coun Walker added: "I've been campaigning now for about ten years to get nursery provision in Lumley and it's good to see that it's now on the horizon."

Provided that no significant objections emerge during the consultation, construction work on the site in Medway could start as early as next year.