AN OFFICIAL ceremony was held to mark the start of building work at a town’s new school.

The turf cutting ceremony at the new Bohunt Academy in Worthing was held on Tuesday.

The new school in Broadwater is expected to be completed in May 2016 and will accommodate 900 students.

It will have a three-storey state of the art teaching block, a large indoor sports hall, dance studio and multi-use games area.

Adam Whitehead, headteacher, said: “It is so satisfying to be on our site and see the start of what will be a fantastic academy and facility for the community.

“The design will create not just a wonderful school but a vibrant, dynamic, safe environment in which local young people can receive a proven, unique educational experience which will enable them to become the aspirant innovators and leaders of the future.”

Some plans for the new school have been met with fierce criticism from locals – particularly against proposals for schoolchildren to use the popular Manor sports ground as its playing field.

A petition to keep a well-used car park under the ownership of the council was also handed over to councillors.

Campaigners said the car park, in nearby Queen Street, had been touted for sale by the authority and could be used for up to 100 Bohunt staff.