Sod-cutting to mark start of build

A Staffordshire village will get one step closer to a brand new primary school tomorrow with a special sod-cutting ceremony.

The event in Huntington will mark the start of building work on the £6.5 million project.

Teachers and pupils from Huntington Primary School, as well as county councillors and representatives from Willmott Dixon Construction, will celebrate the start of building works with the first patch of earth to be cut from the site of the new school.

The current Huntington Primary School is separated by the busy A34 Stafford Road, which has been a constant danger to pupils and parents crossing the road.

The new school will be located on a single site that was formerly part of Littleton Colliery.

Called Littleton Green Community School, it will have places for 420 pupils and a nursery and will combine state-of-the-art facilities and innovative design in order to become a focal point for local residents.

County Councillor Peter Beresford, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "This ceremony marks the beginning of a very exciting project for Huntington, one which will not only benefit pupils and staff at the school, but the wider community too.

"Huntington can now look forward to a 21st Century school to be proud of."

Headteacher Lynn Small said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the whole of Huntington and the wider community.

"We have been fully involved in the development of the plans for the new school and it's great to see the diggers on site. The start of the building work marks a start to a new future for pupils and the community alike."

Peter Owen, managing director at Willmott Dixon's Midlands office, added: "Willmott Dixon is delighted to be involved in this prestigious scheme.

"The new community primary school we are constructing will provide a friendly and attractive learning environment for pupils and teachers."

It is estimated that the school will take around 12 months to build, with an anticipated opening late in 2009.