AMBITIOUS plans for a new £3.4 million school to be built in Bolton have passed the final stage of approval.

Bolton Council planning chiefs unanimously agreed that the new school be built on land at Durham Street, off Blackburn Road.

The school will house a merger between Chalfont Street and Wolfenden primary schools after it was found a substantial surplus of places at Wolfenden could not be met.

The new building will replace outdated structures and will provide a state-of-the-art 21st century school that can be used by the whole community.

It will include access for the disabled and new play areas.

Council leader Bob Howarth said: "Both schools required a considerable amount of money spending on them. We should not be contemplating going into the 21st century using primary schools built in the 19th century.

"There will be special facilities for disabled children and I look forward to seeing this built."

An all-weather pitch used for a variety of sports will be relocated nearer the local community centre.