A MASSIVE £63m project to rebuild seven schools in Bromsgrove has been unveiled to residents this week.

The drop-in sessions, which started on Monday, show models and plans and give people a chance to talk to those concerned about the developments.

HBG PFI Projects Ltd was picked by Worcestershire County Council to build the new schools as part of a private finance initiative. HBG will be demolishing and creating new schools at North Bromsgrove High, South Bromsgrove High, Parkside Middle, Meadows First, Sidemoor First, Alvechurch Middle and Crown Meadow First.

The first drop-in sessions were held at North Bromsgrove High and Sidemoor. They will be repeated at Meadows First today (Wednesday), and Alvechurch Library tomorrow (Thursday) and at South Bromsgrove High on June 9. All run from 4-7pm.

Detailed building plans for all the schools have now been submitted to Bromsgrove District Council. They all include construction of the new schools, access, landscaping and sports areas. They will be discussed at a future planning committee meeting. Construction work is expected to begin this winter or early 2006 and all the schools are expected to be available and operational by the middle of 2008.

The county council will pay the contractor a monthly unitary charge over 30 years. At the end, the assets remain the property of the council.

PFI project manager Peter Parkes said: "The feedback we received from people that came to the North Bromsgrove High meeting was really positive. Everybody seemed impressed by the possible designs."