THE decision to save Stockton Heath Primary School has won the backing of the man who has updated the 'architects' bible'.

Richard Pollard, who has revised part of The Buildings of England, applauded the vote against demolition.

He exclusively told the Warrington Guardian: "I think it was a good decision.

"I used to work with a group that campaigned to preserve old buildings like this.

"They are very flexible, you can reuse them if you have got the will, and improve them - you don't need to knock them down. They are well built."

Mr Pollard has spent three years researching and updating The Liverpool and South West Lancashire volume of The Buildings of England.

The original volumes covered the whole country and were written between 1951 and 1974 by Nikolaus Pevsner, and went on to become standard reference works.

Mr Pollard made his comments on Stockton Heath Primary School (pictured above) during a recent visit to Warrington Town Hall for a book launch.

He believes towns like Warrington need to do more to preserve their historic buildings - more than half of those mentioned in the original 1969 edition have now gone.

However, it should be pointed out that the primary school does not get a mention in the new edition.

The Government has made £3.4m available for improving the Egerton Street building.

Warrington Borough Council believes it would cost an additional £500,000 to refurbish.