A TURF cutting ceremony has paved the way for the start of a multi-million pound redevelopment of Elton High School.

Work is now under way at the Walshaw Road school with staff and pupils scheduled to move into the new building by September 2016.

Among the VIPs were Bury North MP David Nuttall, Bury Council leader Cllr Mike Connolly, headteacher Adrian Calvert, chairman of governors Norman Rosindale, six students and representatives from contractors Interserve Construction and the Education Funding Agency (EFA).

It is believed the school will cost between £10-£15M to build.

Headteacher Mr Calvert said: "We are delighted that work on the building of our new school has now started. We look forward to having a high quality inspirational school building with excellent facilities which reflects the aspirations, commitment and hard work of our students, staff, governors and parents which we can all, quite rightly, be proud of."

Earlier this year, plans revealed the impressive three-storey modern building will have a range of modern features including a dramatic triple height auditorium and dining area. The new school will be built to the south of the existing building, which will be demolished once the project is complete with a new playing field put in its place.

A large dining space will be able to fit 53 per cent of pupils in it comfortably at any one time. There will be extra outdoor dining space around the outside of the building while roof lights will improve natural light in the building, with better air circulation facilities preventing stuffy classrooms.

Anti-bullying toilets will be located in the middle of each floor and will have completely private cubicles but an open sink and mirror area.

Vehicle access to the site will be off Walshaw Road, close to where it currently is, and will be improved. A staff and visitor car park will provide 68 spaces.

There will be a new pedestrian access created, with a path leading from Walshaw Road to the main school entrance. Additionally, a single-storey sports block with four sports courts, an activity studio, changing rooms and toilets will be built to the west of the main building.

Elton High School has suffered from corrosion and leaks and issues with poor energy savings, the flat roof and single-glazing. The specialist arts, maths and computing college was built in 1954 to cater for between 400 and 500 pupils but currently has more than 1,000 students.