ELY S Lantern Primary School looks set to double in size within the next five years as the city grows. Classrooms will be added to the school to swell its numbers to 420 by around 2013. The first 60 extra pupils will be admitted to reception classes next

ELY'S Lantern Primary School looks set to double in size within the next five years as the city grows.

Classrooms will be added to the school to swell its numbers to 420 by around 2013.

The first 60 extra pupils will be admitted to reception classes next September and the three-year-old school will grow by 30 pupils each subsequent year.

If the plans are given the go-ahead, building will start on an extra classroom in time for next September and other classrooms will be added as needed.

The move comes after house building in Ely has pushed up the numbers of children starting reception class in the city's schools from 137 in 1999 to 199 in 2007.

Expanding the school would allow more children to stay within its catchment area where the extra demand is coming from and bring its numbers in line with other schools in the city.

While building work is carried out the school's existing pupils will continue to be taught and Cambridgeshire County Council is hoping to avoid the need for mobile classrooms.

People will be asked for their views on the plans and a drop-in session will be held at Ely Community College this evening (Thursday) between 6pm and 8pm.

Written comments on the proposals are also invited and should be sent to Admissions, Box ELH 1505, Castle Court, Castle Hill, Cambridge, CB3 0AP, or can be e-mailed to admissions@cambridgeshire.gov.uk to arrive by December 14.

The county council's Cabinet will take into account all comments received at its meeting on February 12, when a decision will be made.