WORK is set start in November on a £12.9million scheme to revitalise a school branded a health hazard in an Ofsted inspector's report.

The multi-million pound package has been secured by Blackburn with Darwen Council in conjunction with the Church of England's Blackburn Diocese to help "recreate" St Wilfrid's High School.

By December 2004, it is anticipated the whole school will have merged on to one "state-of-the-art" site, with the existing lower school on Byrom Street closing as result.

The plans for the new multi-million site were first revealed in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph last February.

All partners in the scheme have expressed delight at the new year bonanza and Matthew Grant, chairman of the governors, said: "The school is absolutely thrilled at the news. The new school building will provide a uniquely stimulating teaching environment for our pupils with facilities and equipment to meet the needs of the 21st century."

Headteacher David Whyte said: "I am obviously delighted that the issues related to our split site and building problems will be solved by the redevelopment of the school on the Duckworth Street site.

"The staff, students and parents deserve a school building that will enable us all to strive to achieve the school mission statement. I am very excited about the opportunities the new school will offer."

The Very Rev David Frayne, Dean of Blackburn Cathedral and chairman of the Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education, said: "After years of waiting and uncertainty, it is marvellous news that it has been agreed by all concerned that St Wilfrid's School is to be re-built on a single site. In this way, the school will continue to serve both the Church and the Borough from central Blackburn."

Coun Bill Taylor, the council's Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: "We are absolutely delighted by news of the approval. St Wilfrid's is an important member of our family of schools and the new school building will mean that we can ensure that our pupils experience the highest quality learning environment. We will continue to work with the school and the Diocese to move the project forward to its completion."