BUILDING work on the £6.1m reconstruction of a Dudley school set to become a "jewel" in the town has got underway.

Wren's Nest Primary School will be revamped with a section of the existing school bulldozed to make way for a state-of-the-art replacement.

The first phase of the Foxglove Road site's re-development has begun with a two-storey building set to feature 12 new classrooms, a new dining hall, kitchen and five small group rooms.

The site will also have a new reception area, toilets, staff and visitor car parks built.

It will open up to pupils in February 2009. The old classrooms will then be knocked down and a new playing field will be created to replace these.

The second stage of the ambitious project will see three existing classrooms and the dining hall given a revamp.

The first sod was cut at the site by some of the pupils on Monday November 12.

Headteacher Ruth Wylie said the replacement of the building dating back to the 1930s marks an exciting time for the school.

She said: "Wren's Nest is very much a school for our community and we are delighted that we will have a new school which is designated to support the government's drive to ensure successful outcomes for every child and every family.

"We aim for the new Wren's Nest Primary School and Children's Centre to be the jewel of the estate ensuring quality education and services for everyone."