Plans to completely rebuild Jericho Primary School, in Whitehaven, have moved a huge step forward.

Proposals for the multi-million pound transformation project have been submitted to Cumbria County Council.

Jericho School is benefiting from a share of £2bn Government cash, through the Priority School Building Programme. This will see about 280 schools around the country being either upgraded or replaced.

The plans will see Jericho completely rebuilt on the site, and the two-storey building could open as soon as next year.

A public consultation for the plans is set to end on March 4.

A design statement for the new-build state: "The school head teacher, leadership team and Cumbria County Council have been fully supportive of our work to deliver the new school through the Priority School Building Programme. The target is for the new school to complete in 2019."

Plans for Jericho School show that the ground floor will be used for the infant classes, hall and administration space. The upper floor will be used for the junior school pupils and there will also be a studio space and library.

The design statement said: "The building is positioned and organised so that the administration and main entrance facilitates the existing site entrance and existing pedestrian access to create a direct, safe and dedicated approach to the school.

"In addition to the main entrance to the building two additional pupil entrances are provided with good access to the external play areas.

"All ground floor classrooms have direct access to the existing and new shared external play areas."

The design statement says the school is "at the heart of the community" so sports areas and halls are used regularly by community groups. There will be space provided for performances and also to provide facilities to community users such as school halls/grounds for recreation and life skill groups.

"Many of the existing landscape areas and features are to be retained," it added.

The school will remain open while the new one is built in the school grounds. Once pupils have moved into the new facility, the former one will be demolished.

Headteacher James Blackwell has previously said: "The facilities will be great for the children in terms of space."

He said the classrooms will be bigger and "fit for purpose".

"We will have the right amount of space. There will be an improved hall facility and a dedicated studio for dance and drama," he added.

Mr Blackwell said 2019 is a special year as it marks the school's 50th anniversary.

He said the school, and a dedicated parent group, are fundraising to raise money for new equipment for the new-build.