An ambitious £36.5m programme to deliver new primary schools in the Fort William area continues to progress after two contracts were awarded.

One contract relates to a new school at Lundavra Road, which will replace the existing Fort William and Upper Achintore Primary Schools, and will include 11 classrooms and community facilities.

John Graham Construction Ltd has been awarded the contract.

The second contract has been awarded to Robertson Construction Northern Ltd and will involve the building of a new Gaelic Medium primary school with community facilities at Ardgour Road, Caol. It will initially have four classrooms but with a capacity to add a further four classrooms if needed.

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Work on both projects is expected to commence in the spring, with expected opening dates of August 2015.

Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chair, Adult and Children's Service Committee, The Highland Council, said: "It is really good news for the Lochaber area that we committing such large sums of money to improving primary schooling in Fort William, especially as it comes on top of the major investment in Lochaber High School."

Councillor Thomas MacLennan, Leader of the Council's Lochaber Area Committee, added: "The Council's very significant investment in the Fort William area in very welcome indeed.

"It is great news for pupils, parents and school staff to have the very best equipment and surroundings for learning and teaching. It is also excellent news for our local economy with the jobs that the construction of the three schools will provide."

(JP/IT)