A COLD, damp and crumbling village primary school could be replaced with a £1.8m building.

Durham County Council hopes to rebuild Byers Green Primary School, in Byers Green, near Spennymoor, by September.

For years, the school's two buildings, which date back to 1915, have been in a state of decline and have cost thousands of pounds to maintain.

The infant building has suffered a series of floods because of the rising water table, which is now threatening the junior building as well.

In April 2004, the main kitchen in the junior building was condemned and the roof requires major repairs.

Officers have estimated that the total cost to repair the buildings in full would be about £1.13m or up to £1.8m to erect a modern building on the existing site.

The council's cabinet has already earmarked cash for the development.

The detailed plans are expected to go before Durham County Council's planning committee in May or June.

If the scheme is approved, the 84 pupils would be taught in the junior building while construction was ongoing.

Acting headteacher Trish Archment said parents, governors, staff and pupils are really excited about the prospect of a new school.

She said: "It would be wonderful to have a new building designed for modern teaching methods.

"We have had all kinds of problems with the current buildings - floods, heating breakdowns, the floors are rising.

"It is an old single building, so suffers cold and damp. The windows are old-fashioned so pupils cannot see out of them.

"It has been a beautiful school in the past, which we are very proud of, but it is past its best.

"It will mean teaching children in a much nicer environment where children will feel happier and that can only improve on the pride and effort they already show.