A new village school in East Sussex will be created thanks to a £1.75 million deal.

Ticehurst Primary School's new site could be open as early as July next year after bosses at East Sussex County Council struck a deal with building company Gleesons.

The company agreed to build a school on council-owned land in Steellands Drive, Ticehurst, near Robertsbridge, and in return will be allowed to develop the site of the current school in Church Street.

Councillor Daphne Bagshawe, deputy leader of the county council, said: "This is an outstanding example of dynamic, creative thinking on behalf of the county council that will result in the people of Ticehurst gaining a brand new primary school.

"I would like to pay tribute to the board of governors and everyone connected with the school for their strong backing for the scheme. County council officers and councillors also deserve great credit for their hard work and support in seeing this deal through.

"When budgets are tight, we have to use all the resources available to us to get the result local people want. This is what we have done and I am absolutely delighted."

The council had originally put the scheme out to tender before deciding on Gleesons.

Construction work is likely to begin next month.

The school will have a reception class, six teaching rooms, a library, hall, kitchen and administration offices.

There will also be a playing field, hard play areas, access road, car park and dropping off area.

Coun Rupert Simmons, cabinet member for education, said the current school was out of date and not suitable for modern teaching.