PLANS have been submitted to build an office for the headteacher and alterations to the staff room, at Abbey Infants School, Darlington.

Headteacher Elaine McCue said since the school was built in the 1960s, the number of pupils attending has increased, which has led to more staff.

Although initially there were just six classes, three more classrooms have been added, and there are now 270 youngsters.

The increase in staff needed to cope with the number of pupils, means the staff room is too small.

Mrs McCue said they want to extend the staff room into her office, and build a new office.

She said: "We have a lot more staff now. It is a considerable number of adults, but at the moment we just do not have enough space," she said.

"The staff room is not big enough and we do not have much surplus room for extra teaching space, or meetings.

"My new office will be a reasonable size, so it can be used as a meeting room or or teaching space if needed, as can the staff room."