GREENWICH Council is to double an Abbey Wood primary school's capacity at a cost of £3.5m.

Cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Denise Hyland approved the spend on February 18, which will see St Thomas a Becket school in Monttisfont Road increase in size from 210 pupils to 420.

The expansion will use the current site along with the former City Learning Centre in nearby Eynsham Drive.

A quick decision has been taken from the council in the hope that the reception building can open in time for this September, when existing schools are expected to struggle for places.

Three classroom spaces for nursery and reception classes are projected  to be ready for the summer.

Funding will come from the council's Schools Capital Programme which includes money from Section 106 agreements alongside prudential borrowing.