The investment programme at Longridge Primary is set to radically improve facilities at the school for pupils and staff and provide "exciting" new facilities for local people.

Executive councillor for culture and leisure Jim Walker said: "The project will provide excellent new facilities for the school and the local community. Having the building joined up with the school will make such a difference. We are really looking forward to closer links with the community. We've got great plans."

Improvements include a new community hall, a teaching base, a general purpose room, changing and improved toilet provision.

The extra teaching spaces are part of the council's commitment to class size reduction and work is due to be completed in August.

Karen Gardner, secretary of Longridge Community Education Centre Association, welcomed the news.

She said: "It is a good day for Longridge. We can now see the beginning of this new facility that will provide modern community and education facilities that are much needed."