Work is to start next week on a long-awaited scheme to upgrade cramped St Joseph's School.

Builders will move in on Monday to begin the £750,000 extensions and alterations to the Queens Road, Ingrow, school. Government approval for the project was given in 1996 after two years of pressure from parents and staff.

Head-teacher Marian Bolton says the long-overdue scheme will totally transform the 476-pupil school, where overcrowding has meant corridors being used as cloakrooms and the hall as a classroom.

"I'm absolutely delighted that at last work is to start," she says. "The next few months will be quite difficult while the work is carried out, but by the end of the year we should have wonderful new facilities."

The project - which is due for completion by October - will include a refurbishment and the provision of a new hall, nursery, administration block and cloakrooms.

The school has to provide 15 per cent of the funding for the venture, and numerous events have been held. The fundraising campaign will continue, with future activities including a fourth annual sponsored jog in the grounds of Cliffe Castle.

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