A NEW junior school is being planned for Darlington to replace an ageing building.

Parts of Skerne Park Junior School have become so run-down that education chiefs are to erect temporary classrooms while Darlington Borough Council bids for cash to build a permanent building on the site.

Offices, a creche, toy storeroom, toilets and a kitchen will be housed in the temporary buildings if planners approve the scheme.

A council spokesman said: "We are hoping to bid to the Department for Education and Skills for funds to replace the whole school, and we hope that by April 2003 we will know whether our bid has been successful.