A HEADTEACHER has welcomed multi-million pound plans to merge his split-site school, saying it will improve safety.

Headteacher John Hughes said the new Padiham Primary school on its infant building site in Burnley Road was a 'fantastic opportunity to deliver education in the best possible site'.

When children reach age seven they move to the Victoria Road site, but still have to cross a busy road for whole school assemblies, making the one-site school the safer option, according to Mr Hughes.

The £2.7m school, com-plete with state-of-the-art facilities, would see the 98-year-old Victoria Road junior site being sold off.

Proposals include a dozen junior classrooms, extra teaching areas including a studio, library and IT suite, new play areas and better staff accommodation.

It is hoped the school will be open for summer 2009.

Mr Hughes, who has been headteacher for 16 years, said: "We are delighted because this is a fantastic opportunity for the children and people of Padiham to deliver educ-ation in the best possible site.

"It will make a huge difference. At the moment the children have to cross a busy road so having the school on one site will be a lot safer.

"The old Victorian building requires a lot of maintenance so this is the best option.

"Staff have managed to support the sites well but this will make a big difference to them also."

County Coun Vali Patel, cabinet member for schools, approved the proposals and a final decision about whether funds from selling off the old site could be used to finance part of the development will be taken mid-December.

County Coun Marcus Johnstone, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "This will make all the difference to children's school experience in Padiham.

"We want to give them a school for the future which will be purpose-built, light and airy and fun to learn in.

"Everyone involved has waited many years for this development and I will remain closely involved along the way to make sure it is a real success."