PEOPLE across Darlington are being invited on guided tours of a £37.3m school that is soon to open.

The Education Village will bring together Haughton Community School, Beaumont Hill Technology College and Springfield Primary School.

It will cater for 1,400 pupils, of all abilities, aged from two to 19.

The staff and pupils will move into the new building after the Easter break on April 24.

The public tours will allow visitors to view the sports facilities, sports halls, swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool, dance and drama studios and a large performance hall, which opens out on to the village green area to allow for indoor and outdoor performances.

There are also interactive music therapy rooms, a 14 to 19 centre to assist vocational education and training, and enhanced facilities to allow children with all abilities to use classrooms effectively. There is also a soft play room and a parents' room.

Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "Darlington is leading the way in education with this development.

"As well as pupils, this facility is there for the wider community to use, so it's important people come and have a look and use the Education Village once it opens."

Tours for pupils start the week beginning March 13.

Public tours will then be run daily from Tuesday, March 21, to Friday, March 24, with four, hour-long tours each day, starting at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 6pm.

Additional tours will take place on Saturday, March 25, at 10am, 11.30am and 1pm. More tours will run from Monday, March 27, to Thursday, March 30, with four tours each day at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 6pm.

Anyone interested can book a place on (01325) 388212.