ARCHITECTS who designed two schools for children with special needs have handed over the keys to education officials.

The hand-over marks the final stage of Durham County Council's £11.3m development of Evergreen Primary School, in Bishop Auckland, and The Oaks Secondary School, in Spennymoor, before they open next month.

Colour-coded corridors, hydrotherapy pools and sensory gardens are among the design features incorporated into the two buildings by Niven Architects, of Darlington.

Lead consultant Ian Scott said: "We carried out extensive research to make sure the best of special needs provision was incorporated into the design of the new schools.

"Both schools have been built to the same modern design, although the secondary school is larger, with more classrooms and facilities for design technology, food technology, science and other subjects."

The schools will take pupils from Warwick Road and Murphy Crescent both in Bishop Auckland, Whitworth School in Spennymoor, and Rosebank in Ferryhill.

Older students at The Oaks Secondary School will be able to practise independent living skills in a fully equipped apartment.

Development at the new sites will continue until the end of the year, with the old school buildings at Whitworth School and Warwick Road due to be demolished.