A VILLAGE primary school is to increase the number of pupils on its roll by more than 100.

Blackrod Primary School will grow in size from 210 to 315 pupils over the next five years.

Council chiefs increased the numbers of pupils going into reception at the Blackrod school from 30 to 45 last month after a record demand for school places.

However, at Blackrod Town Council it was questioned whether the increase will be enough for the future.

Town Councillor Alan Bury, who is also chairman of the neighbourhood planning committee, said: “It is great that this school has recognised that more places are needed.

“In the neighbourhood plan, school capacity is highlighted as a weakness and there is a need in extra places.

“Looking at Blackrod as a whole, I would like to see what the Blackrod Church School are also doing about this.

“This is a step in the right direction, but I still don’t think it is enough.”

The move to expand Blackrod School comes after Bolton Council controversially shut Scot Lane End Primary School in the village in 2008, which had 15 surplus places.

Town Councillor Graham Farrington said an increasing birthrate in the area does not take into account future developments in Blackrod.

He said: “We know that there has been a shortage of school places.

“But I don’t think these figures will take care of the problems.” because of the developments in Blackrod.

“I can’t see it being adequate for five/six years-time it may not meet the need of Blackrod in the future.

“But it is an improvement and we do welcome it.”

Also welcoming the rise in places was town councillor Scott Bachelor.

He added: “It is good news for the community and I think it is to be applauded.

“School places are a need in the village.”