A new £3million primary school in Newton Poppleford will not be getting a new library.

Instead it will be retaining one of the old classrooms originally set to be demolished with the rest of he old school.

Headteacher Stuart Vaughan revealed the news when he gave an update on the new Newton Poppleford Primary School development this week.

Speaking to the Herald after the meeting, he said when the original funding bid was granted by the Government’s Education Funding Agency (EFA) in 2014, the preschool had not been set up.

He said Devon County Council initially applied for funding for a seven-classroom school, so during design talks the EFA was asked for an extra, eighth classroom for the preschoolers. The council was told there was no extra funding but could compromise.

Mr Vaughan said “The compromise was that they would add an eighth classroom instead of a library in the new school and we would instead use one of the old year five classrooms as a library.”

He added they were now in the process of selecting things like paint and carpet, and the development was on track to be completed in May, ready for the new school year. The old school will then be demolished by February 2019.

Last week, the Herald reported the launch of a PTFA fundraising drive which is aiming to collect £10,000 towards the £30,000 needed for vital supplies in the new school.

To celebrate the appeal and the JustGiving page going live, volunteers painted a barometer on the boarding around the development. Each time there is a fundraiser, they plan to add more to the artwork, to show their progress. The next event will be a Christmas Fete on December 2 at Newton Poppleford Pavilion on Back Lane, between 2pm and 4pm. Santa will be there in his grotto, along with a selection of stalls, a raffle and festive refreshments.

Anyone interested in joining a team of 12 parents and teachers taking part in the Exeter 10k run on March 19 has also been encouraged to come forward.

Visit justgiving.com/newtonpoppleford schoolassociation if you would like to donate to the cause and show your support.