FUNDRAISING for a new-build project at Clatford Primary School is going well but more money is needed to reach the £73,000 target.

The village school needs to raise 10 per cent of the estimated cost of the project while the Government provides the rest of the funding.

Parents, governors, staff, pupils and members of the community have already pulled together to raise a staggering £55,000 in just six months and a number of other events have been planned to generate the rest of the funds.

The next major events are the school summer fair on 21 June and an appearance at The Andover Show on 29 June, where visitors to the school's stand have the chance to win a car by rolling some dice.

Deputy headteacher Jane Lloyd said: "It's been going really well. The parents have been absolutely wonderful - so helpful and up for participating in all the fundraising events, especially as they've been asked to do an awful lot. The support we've received has been fantastic.

"But we've been very disappointed at the lack of support from local businesses to-wards the school. Considering the amount of letters we wrote it was disappointing they weren't more forthcoming."

The project will see the replacement of two 25-year-old temporary classrooms with three purpose-built ones added to the main school building.

This will free up an existing classroom to become an ICT suite and library while the current library will be turned into a special needs room.

The toilets will be refurbished, the staff room extended and new furnishings and carpets are being put in.

"The whole thing is really exciting and will add so much to the school," Miss Lloyd said. "It's quite a major build for us."

The builders are already a week ahead of schedule and working with the school to ensure the minimum amount of disruption is caused while the work takes place.

The foundations and brickwork for the three new classrooms are now above soil level and a new playground has been provided.

The contractors hope to complete the extension before the start of the summer holidays and will then concentrate on the internal works once the school term has finished. An official opening is planned for February.