PLANS for a £15m redevelopment of one of Darlington's leading schools were unveiled last night.

Education chiefs are drawing up a bid for Government funding for the refurbishment of Hummersknott School and Language College.

Darlington Borough Council will ask the Department for Education and Skills for £12m under its Targeted Capital Fund.

The authority would also provide £3m to support the bid, using cash generated from the sale of surplus school land in the town.

One building block would be demolished and rebuilt, while the rest of the work would involve the refurbishment of the interior.

Staff and education bosses hailed the potential development as a chance to dramatically enhance Darlington's largest secondary school.

Headteacher Pat Howarth said: "This is a tremendous opportunity to transform Hummersknott School into a 21st Century learning environment for the benefit of students, staff and the local community."

Chris McEwan, the council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "Hummersknott has some building needs, so we are putting this bid forward to try to improve the accommodation for pupils and staff."

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