A £4.5million primary school will be built in Raglan, it was announced today.

Work on the school is anticipated to start next summer and open in late 2015, with the cost met equally by Monmouthshire council and the Welsh Government as part of the council`s 21st century school programme.

The funding is being made available a year before the programme is due to start. The replacement primary school will offer a standard of facilities similar to those at Caldicot's Dewstow Primary School.

Raglan Primary School is one of only six school`s in Monmouthshire with separate junior and infant blocks, which conflicts with the county`s aim of bringing together all children at primary level under one roof.

Both blocks suffer poor energy and high maintenance levels with limitations over access comfort levels, light levels and ventilation and this is reflected in the county`s condition survey records which indicate Raglan is among the six school`s that fall into the lowest category.

Sarah McGuiness, Monmouthshire council`s chief officer for children and young people, announced the news at today`s meeting of the cabinet at County Hall, Usk.

Jeremy Piper, headteacher at Raglan primary school welcomed the news, saying: " We`re delighted that the new school has received the go-ahead and we are so happy for the children, parents and staff."

Councillor Liz Hacket Pain, cabinet member for children and young people said:" This is indeed good news for the people of Raglan. I`m delighted and I`m sure that the whole of the village will look forward to following those other communities in Monmouthshire which have benefited from a new school."