Draughty corridors, cold showers and crowded dormitories - that might be the perception of boarding schools for those who read the books of Enid Blyton.

But one leading Fylde independent school is throwing off the traditional image with a high-tech overhaul that would leave Tom Brown's head spinning!

Rossall School has launched a £800,000 scheme to convert its oldest accommodation into the most modern boarding facilities in the country.

Students will be able to enjoy plush single occupancy rooms with high speed internet access, state-of-the-art under floor heating and luxury shower and bathing facilities in the school's new Dolphin and Dragon Crescent houses.

The development, due to be completed next February, will also include apartments for house parents, teachers' common rooms and prep rooms for the pupils.

But, despite the need for specialist expertise, the craftsmen working on the 19th century Grade II listed building are all drawn from the local community.

The school's building services manager, Paul King, said: "While this is without doubt a difficult and specialist refurbishment we wanted only local trades people involved, as we have a policy of supporting business in the area.

"And, our decision has proved to be the right one because every aspect of the project has been first rate. We hope to complete the works in early 2006, so that pupils can enjoy their new accommodation in the spring term."

The developments will give the school a boarding capacity of 325 and follows hot on the heels of another modern project, the creation of the Lawrence House astronomy and space science centre, offering science teaching from infants to adults.