A £3.3m investment programme is to be undertaken at a number of schools in West Lothian this summer.

The projects will include a new extension at Balbardie Primary School, while ground works, new roofing and doors, decoration, boiler replacement and replacement lighting will be carried out at other schools in the area.

A few of the programmes of work include:

• Bathgate West Nursery – new external stairs

• Hopetoun Nursery – new flooring

• Armadale Primary School – four new temporary classrooms and toilet facilities

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• Howden St Andrew's – roof improvements

• A further five secondary schools – Inveralmond, Linlithgow, The James Young, St Kentigern's and West Calder – will see their science classes improved

• St Margaret's – a new boiler will be installed for the swimming pool.

A majority of the work is expected to be completed by the start of the school term later this year, but the extension at Balbardie Primary School and the emergency lighting replacement at Inveralmond and The James Young High School will take longer to complete, the local authority confirmed.

Lawrence Fitzpatrick, Executive Councillor for Education, said: "When the pupils are on their summer break it is an ideal time for us to carry out upgrades and improvement work.

"West Lothian has a planned programme of maintenance and investment in our school estate to ensure that the buildings are in good condition. This summer is no exception with an ambitious £3.3 million programme."

(JP/IT)