THE name of a new £3.4m primary school -- which will be built in one of the town's most deprived areas -- has been revealed.

The new school, which will house two existing primary schools, will be called The Valley.

Pupils from both Chalfont Street and Wolfenden primary schools, which will merge at the new school in Hibbert Street, Astley Bridge, voted on the name.

The Valley proved to be the most popular suggestion from both sets of pupils and the staff and governors were also happy with the final decision.

Plans for the state-of-the-art primary school were given the go ahead earlier this year after the Government gave £1.7m funding.

Building work will be completed over the next two years and parents, pupils and staff from both schools will have a chance to contribute their own ideas for the design.

Graham Bedford, head of Wolfenden school, said: "Most of the kids kept coming up with The Valley name and of course it seems appropriate for the area the school will serve.

"It's got a quite nice ring to it and creates a pleasant, nice image.

"The name is easy for the kids to get to grips with and I think it will be a nice surprise for them in September when they find it has been officially chosen."

A new school building was desperately needed to replace the two existing primaries, especially Wolfenden which needs lots of repairs.

The Valley is likely to have a yearly intake of 60 children with a 56-place nursery and extensive community facilities.