SCHOOLS across Southampton are celebrating after winning a multi-million- pound grant for a facelift.

The city is to get £5.6m Government funding to revamp and expand primary schools.

It means work to improve facilities at Redbridge, Harefield and Newlands primary schools should now be completed.

The council can also press ahead with plans to create 1,100 new pupil places in the city centre and Freemantle areas.

Daily Echo: Click below to see a video of today's headlines in sixty seconds

City MP John Denham said the funding – on top of £3.2m already granted under the same scheme – is “excellent news”.

The amount of money the city council will receive is still dependent on Government confirmation, but means its school rebuilding plans should be on course through to 2011.

Contractors are already on site creating new amenities at Redbridge, while the project at Harefield, which includes building a children’s centre, is in the final stages of contract negotiation.

The council’s Cabinet has still to give the final go-ahead for the Newlands work.

A decision on plans to add pupil places at eight city centre schools is due in July, having been backed by council chiefs.

Four infant and junior schools could be converted into primary schools, while four more schools would receive extra classes.

The project – which is likely to cost around £15m in total – could potentially see Banister and Maytree infant schools completely rebuilt.

Mr Denham, Southampton Itchen MP, said: “This will not only benefit children and families but will also provide a welcome boost for the construction industry and local businesses who will be crucial to delivering the new and refurbished primary schools.”

The council’s education chief, Cllr Peter Baillie, added: “This represents a major investment in our children, providing the best possible learning environments and in turn giving them the best possible start in life.

“This should enable them to go on and reach their full potential.”