Contractors have begun building a replacement for an infant school which was devastated by fire.

John Ray Infant School, in Notley Road, was burnt to the ground when a fire raged through the building on August 31 last year.

Builders are now on site next the the previous building to build the new school, which will include 12 classrooms, a kitchen, a reception area and a hall to accommodate up to 360 children.

As part of the rebuiild, neighbouring John Ray Junior School, which has a current capacity of 370 pupils, will also have a four-classroom extension and an extended hall.

It will take on about 120 pupils.

Deputy headteacher Gill Cunningham said: “We are moving in in September 2015 and the children are really excited about it, it is the next part of the adventure for them.”

Since the fire pupils have been learning in mobile classrooms.