Revised plans for the first phase to overhaul education facilities in Dumfries could rise by more than £21m, it is understood.

Councillors are to be told they can try to reduce funding to other schemes, use additional borrowing or reassess the schools project itself.

Nearly £45m was allocated to a new learning hub at north west Dumfries campus and an upgrade of St Joseph's College. However, this could now could more than £66m.

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The Dumfries Learning Town project was formed after plans for a 'super school' for the town's S4 to S6 pupils were dropped.

It involves building new schools at Maxwelltown High and Dumfries High, as well as the refurbishment of St Joseph's College and Dumfries Academy.

Council Leader Ronnie Nicholson said: "The sheer scale of what we now want to achieve requires more investment but it is still modest given that in phase one alone we are replacing three schools and transforming another.

"In the long term, the number of school sites will be reduced as primary schools move onto shared campuses.

"This will provide significant savings. More importantly we will see schools fit for the 21st century in Dumfries and beyond."

(LM/JP)