WINDOWS too high for youngsters to see out of and corrosion in the cellar.

It is easy to see why Stockton Heath Primary School needs reviving.

Immediate shortfalls were apparent when the Warrington Guardian was invited on a tour around the 90-year-old building on Friday.

Norma Cadwallader, director of the borough council's children's services, was on-site to answer all our questions.

"With a refurbishment we would have to work with what we have.

"You can do a lot in a refurbishment but we are talking about a big old building with a substantial structure already.

"It's a good school and the teachers work hard to the best of their ability with what they have but this environment is not the best.

"With a new school, we could build to the specifications best for the pupils and their learning. Because we are educating for the 21st century, we are looking at ways of using space differently," she said.

The last application to demolish and rebuild the school was met with furious opposition from some residents and parents keen to protect the heritage of the village.

Their vociferous objections and campaigns bore fruit when the application was refused.

But now the bid is back on the agenda as Warrington Borough Council decided to re-submit the plans for the Egerton Street school this week.

With the prospect of a new building come modern ideas - more shared space for pupils, including a central library and a reception located at the entrance of the school (at present it is out of sight on the top floor).

Two new halls are also in the pipeline for PE and assemblies, as well as a dining hall - as it stands, the dining hall and year six classrooms are separate to the main school.

Even the caretaker commented how cold these rooms can be in the winter while heating cost are high.

"If you were a parent, you would want the best education for your child and we hope they recognised a bit of disruption would give them a new environment for the whole community," added Mrs Cadwallader.

A major issue of refurbishment is the additional costs of half a million pounds; money the local authority does not have.

Mrs Cadwallader commented: "To raise extra money means taking it from other projects which would then suffer, or raising council tax by one per cent."

The £3.4 million Government grant was originally earmarked for a Warrington primary school two years ago.

In the end, Stockton Heath Primary was allocated the funds over other contender, Burtonwood Primary School.

Mrs Cadwallader said: "If the plan is rejected for a new build again and the council makes the decision not to use extra money then the £3.4 million would go back into central Government's pot.

"The Government will not play ball forever. It is expecting us to get the school sorted as quickly as possible otherwise the school may end up with nothing."

l Have your say. Let us know what you think of the proposals and the council's argument for them by writing to Points of View, Warrington Guardian, The Academy, 138 Bridge Street, Warrington, WA1 2RU.