A HEADTEACHER has defended her school's decision to build a new classroom despite objections.

Sherwood County Primary School, Sherwood Way, Fulwood, has applied to Preston Borough Council to build a single-storey classroom extension to house a class who currently have lessons in the school library.

But residents are campaigning for the school to stop expansion, claiming the move will lead to more traffic problems.

Elizabeth Seddon, of the Howgills, is organiser of the local residents' association. She said: "There are 350 children and the numbers are going to go up. The school is bigger than it was intended to be and parents block driveways and cul-de-sacs, and park on double yellow lines. We would like a limit on the number of pupils that can go there."

Sherwood ward councillor Marie Milne, said: "The school was only built for so many children. A lot of people come from outside the area and too many children are being brought in cars."

But headteacher Jean Havard said: "The school serves the Sherwood, Fulwood and Longsands community. The majority of children who attend the school live within this area. The main problem is that we have a class in the library. We need a new classroom for the children and we constantly remind our parents to be considerate when they park."

Mrs Harvard said she had not received any complaints about the proposal but it is believed that an objection has been sent to Preston Borough Council. The school is awaiting a county council decision on January 14.