THE regeneration of a rundown council estate has moved a step closer to reality.

Darlington Borough Council has submitted an outline planning application for a £2m junior school to provide the centrepiece in the regeneration of the town's Firth Moor Estate.

The design of the replacement school, which will cater for 200 pupils, is yet to be formalised, and a full planning application is expected to follow within three months.

Richard Alty, assistant director for development and regeneration at Darlington Borough Council, said the application, for land north of Carlton Moor Crescent, was a milestone in efforts to rebuild the run-down estate.

"It demonstrates that the council is committed to moving forward with the regeneration of Firth Moor," he said.

The regeneration of the estate has been made possible by Darlington Partnership's bid for £3m from the Government's Single Regeneration Budget.

About 300 homes have been demolished on the estate to make way for new, low cost housing.