The company, which has local offices in Darlington and Durham, secured the Durham County Council deal to construct the school, Peterlee Eden Primary, designed by the authority’s architect.

The single-storey school, which will be located in Eden Lane, is to accommodate 390 pupils and will replace the existing Eden Community School in Robson Avenue. The project is due to be completed in August 2008.

The project will see Morgan Ashurst create a 3,000m² steel-frame facility that will provide 11 classrooms, an assembly hall, sports facilities, play areas, IT suite, and Sure Start and nursery facilities.

The new school will be built using sustainable materials including cedar cladding. The design of the school includes important energy-efficient features such as underfloor heating and a grey -water collection tank.