A HARD-pressed Winchester primary school is set to expand into the neighbouring car park.

St Bede Primary School is in negotiations to take some land from St Peter’s car park, off Gordon Road. The school is negotiating with the city council for spaces which would give it up to room to build four extra classrooms.

It is the latest example of the pressure most Winchester primary schools have been enduring.

St Bede is one of the most popular schools in the city and demand for places has intensified so much that it has made internal alterations to accommodate 15 extra pupils.

Competition is so strong that even pupils who live within the catchment area, of the city centre, Hyde and Abbotts Barton have been unable to get in.

Dominic Hiscock, the chairman of governors, said: “We are looking at a small piece of land in St Peters and negotiating with the city council for about 20 spaces.”