CONTRACTORS are due to start work on a £5.4 million project to relocate Bere Regis Primary School, County Hall has announced.

The primary school is moving from Rye Hill to a new site in the village at Southbrook. It is hoped the new school will be ready for pupils to move into by early 2017.

Dorset County Council's Egdon Heath Cllr Peter Wharf, whose ward includes Bere Regis village, said: "This has been a really good example of the local county and parish councillors working together for the best outcome for local people.

"This is an important project for our community that has required commitment and collaboration from a range of partners dedicated to making it a success for future generations."

The county council insists the building programme will be financed within the authority's existing school's budget, as it was planned alongside the educational review in Purbeck which saw the district move from a three to a two-tier system in 2013.

Building firm Morgan Sindall has been contracted to carry out the new school build - with the first phase expected to start within weeks and include the creation on a new access road.

A County Hall spokesman explained: "This will be followed by the main school building and playing field, which should take a bout a year to complete and cost £5.4 million "Bere Regis Parish Council has been instrumental in helping the county council achieve the new school within the village."

Meanwhile, county council education spokesman Cllr Toni Coombes said: "We have seen a significant rise in the school age population recently.

"The council has a duty to make sure all children in Dorset have access to good quality education in buildings that are fit for purpose and that we are able to cope with future demand."