Town councillors unanimously voted to buy a former school from the county council – after already submitting plans for the site.

Members of Portland Town Council formally agreed to purchase the Brackenbury Infant School site in Fortuneswell from Dorset County Council for £100,000 during a public meeting on Wednesday.

It comes after the town council unveiled its official plans to turn the school into a new community hub for the island earlier this month.

Cllr Lucy Grieve, who is heading the 'BEACH' project with Cllr Sue Cocking, said the transfer could be completed in less than three weeks.

She said: “We’re struggling through and we’re on track to complete on June 4. Things are moving along and getting clearer.

“We’re fighting as far as we can to pull it all together.”

The school site has been vacant since 2013, when the infant school moved out of the premises to Chesil Cove School. The building was constructed in 1991 and is described in a council report as still being in “relatively good order”.

A business case put forward by the town council states that the former school could provide facilities such as offices, storage, a hall and car park use for Portland Town Council and an internet café.

During Wednesday's meeting, Cllr Cocking said she and Cllr Grieve have also discussed with the county council over bringing adult and children's services to the site.

The hub would provide a new larger location for Allsorts Nursery including four large classroom areas, a larger play area and access to the hall. Cllr Cocking said the nursery's ability to use the site is "vital."

Dorset County Council agreed to dispose of the school to the town council at a cabinet meeting last month after reviewing its case.

The town council agreed in March to apply to the Secretary of State to endorse a loan of £200,000 to enable the purchase and make any necessary alterations.