Financial close has been achieved on a £26.5 million schools project in Dumfries and Galloway(D&G), it has been announced.

Construction on the Dalbeattie Learning Campus is to begin in March.

The project will be delivered by hub South West Scotland and built by Graham Construction.

Features of the campus include new learning and teaching areas, new classrooms, shared dining and assembly space, a primary hall and new sports/fitness facilities.

Infrastructure Secretary Keith Brown said: "This is an important milestone for the Dalbeattie community, who will see the work get underway on their new state-of-the-art learning campus in a matter of weeks. In addition to the educational benefits of the new school, it will boost the local economy through construction jobs and apprenticeship opportunities.

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"The new facilities at Dalbeattie will be a fantastic learning environment and will provide amenities that will be enjoyed by the wider community for generations to come."

Michael McBrearty, Chief Executive of hub South West Scotland, added: "We are delighted to be working together with Dumfries and Galloway Council and, Scottish Futures Trust and Graham Construction to deliver this first-class community facility which will have a long lasting impression on the area. This milestone has taken months of planning between all collaborators involved in the new development, and with formalities now complete, work can get started to create a state-of-the-art community campus local pupils can be proud of."

The campus is scheduled to open for autumn 2017.

(LM)