HUNDREDS of children at Wildern School in Hedge End are set to benefit after plans to build a £700,000 swimming pool were given the go-ahead by Hampshire County Council.

The learner pool, funded by Eastleigh Council, will be designed by an award-winning team of county council architects.

The new facilities, which will be available for public use, will include shower and changing rooms and will be constructed alongside a new fitness suite and multi-use hall. The school already has a main pool.

Stewart Vaughan, assistant head teacher at Wildern said: "We are thrilled by this extension to our already thriving community provision. Not only will the learner pool be of great benefit to parents and their young children, but our new health and fitness suite will also benefit the local community."

Ken Thornber, leader of Hampshire County Council, who approved the project, said: "This is the second phase of a development giving pupils enviable sports facilities."

Wildern Secondary School has scored highly in the government league tables for its Key Stage 3 and GCSE results and is placed in the top quarter of state schools.

Construction of the pool is expected to begin in January 2004, to be completed by the end of the year.