PLANS for an £8 million scheme to transform a Weymouth site into the biggest primary school in Dorset go on show today.

The blueprint will combine Holy Trinity infant and junior schools into a 630-pupil primary school with a nursery facility.

Work includes creating a single building to replace the existing schools, which will then both be demolished.

Junior school headteacher Mark Cheesley said: "It will be the biggest primary school in Dorset and act as an educational beacon for the county."

He added that county education authorities were planning a five-year programme to refurbish or replace schools and Holy Trinity was one of the first sites involved.

The Government was looking to combine infant and junior schools within a single primary school, he said, adding: "That is essentially what will happen with us for September 2007 when we will be moving into a brand new school for about 630 pupils including a nursery facility."

Parents and residents will be able to see the plans themselves today, when an open afternoon and evening will be held at the junior school site from 2.30-7pm.

Visitors will be able to meet architects and education officers, ask questions and even be able to take a virtual tour of the proposed new building.

Mr Cheesley said: "We hope the open day will let parents and visitors know what we are planning.

"Temporary on-site playground space has been arranged and the main building work is due to start in April 2006."

He added that the new building would cover part of a playing field and half of a sports field.

Mr Cheesley said: "Because of this, the main football pitch is being realigned to retain it for school use.

"When the new building is complete and we move in, the old buildings will be demolished and the space created used for playground areas, sports facilities, car parking and environmental areas, such as picnic spots and a small nature reserve.

"I think the whole scheme is fantastic. The county council has worked very closely with us to listen to what we want with the design, which we feel is wonderful.

"Not only does it look futuristic, but it is functional and environmentally friendly in the way it fits in with the natural setting of the site and its many trees."

Infant school headteacher Lyn Darley said: "It is a very exciting project with lots of incredible features for the children and I think it is going to be wonderful.

"It is a fantastic opportunity for children and staff to work in a really exciting building, which will be a real statement for Dorset about what schools should be in the future.

"Importantly, it will still be Holy Trinity and the special place we know it to be."