YOUNGSTERS are looking forward to a new look school after a £500,000 cash boost from education bosses.

Infants at Sudell Primary School in Ellison Fold Terrace, Darwen, have been promised an end to cold walks across the yard after plans were given the go-ahead for their present school to be demolished and replaced with a new state-of-the-art building.

The school was awarded the money by the education authority as part of the rolling programme of updating schools.

Renovation plans include tearing down the present infant building which was built in the 1950s and formerly used as the woodwork and design and technology unit and replacing it with a new high-tech 21st century look.

All 180 infants at the school will benefit from six new purpose-built classrooms with access to the outside play area, a new library and a modern computer suite.

Staff will also gain a new office suite and staff room and a separate room for parents is also on the agenda.

Work is expected to start on the project as early as Easter with the new building due to be up and running after the summer holidays.

Deputy headteacher Liz Cooper said the decision was brilliant news for the school and said: "The children and staff are really excited about the whole thing. Its going to be a spanking new building that will mean an end to the freezing cold walks across the playground because the new building will be joined on to the main school.

"And hopefully there will be as little disruption as possible for both neighbours and the school children because the building is being built off-site and transported at a later date.

"We can't wait for the summer. It will be such a momentous occasion for everyone concerned."