MORE than £700,000 is to be spent on a Meon Valley school to create more pupil places.

The huge sum will be used to create 22 extra places at Droxford Junior School as well as a new hall and kitchen.

If the funding gets approval from education bosses today the new hall - which will be twice the size of the existing one - will free up the old one to be used as an extra classroom and library resource centre.

The money has been allocated in Hampshire County Council's budget for this year's capital funding schemes and has the backing of the authority.

Now all that remains is for plans to be rubber-stamped by county council bosses today.

Head teacher of the Park Lane school, Malcolm Honour, said he had his fingers crossed that they will get the money they need.

"We are hoping that everything will be approved. The new facilities will be of great benefit to the staff and children and to the community as a whole. It will be a really wonderful resource," he said.

Building work will get under way in the new year.

Mr Honour said: "We could start building as early as January or February. The school is thriving at the moment. We have 170 pupils and are looking to take on ten more next year. We are really excited about it."

Part of the money will also be spent on removing a temporary building that is currently being used as a classroom at the school.