PARENTS have given an enthusiastic welcome to plans to create Hampshire’s first free school.

Scores of people packed into a public meeting in Whiteley to hear from the group wanting to set up a new independent school in the town.

The Whiteley Academy Group says the free school, which could cater for children from four through to 16 years old, is needed because there is currently just one over-subscribed primary in the town, and no secondary.

As revealed by the Daily Echo, it is hoped an application can be submitted in June, and the school could open its doors as soon as next September, probably in a converted office block at Solent business Park.

Members of the team behind the scheme, including education experts and Business leaders, met with parents and residents on Saturday morning to tell them more about how the school would be run.

Dad-of-one Joseph Todd, a 37-year-old Navy hospital administrator from Burridge, said he believes the free school plan is “brilliant”.

He said: “We need another school in Whiteley at primary level. The traffic will reduce because there will be less people leaving this area.”

Parish councillor David Jenkins, of Sorrell Drive, said he is behind the scheme, but only if it is done properly.

He said: “I’m totally in favour, but at the right time and for the right reasons.

“There are a lot of unanswered questions and I think the timescale for this year’s application is just too soon.”