THE first phase in a scheme for a new £1.3m sports centre at Malvern's Dyson Perrins CE High School is just over a month away from completion, it has been revealed.

Work began at Malvern's Dyson Perrins CE High School, in Yates Hay Road, in January and the initiative is a joint venture between Malvern Hills District Council, Worcestershire County Council and the school governors. It involves the school's sports hall and gymnasium being refurbished and a fitness suite created for public use, with changing rooms and car parking.

Bosko Medakovic, senior project officer at Worcestershire County Council's directorate of children's services, said he anticipated work on the sports hall would be completed by the end of next month or early September.

The exterior of the development is now complete and builders are busy working on the interior. Project co-ordinators have decided to replace the floor of the gymnasium rather than refurbish it after the extent of the wear and tear of the sub-surface was revealed when it was removed.

Work had to stop on the sports hall section so students could sit exams in peace but it has now begun again in earnest, with Mr Medakovic adding that they did not anticipate any delays. The project is expected to be finished in time for the autumn term.

He said: "I'm confident it's going according to plan and the general running of the school has not been too greatly inconvenienced.

"We've very pleased with the way exams were able to go ahead as agreed and we now look forward to a completed scheme."

Mr Medakovic added that he was confident an additional £100,000 scheme to refurbish and floodlight the existing tennis courts, would also go ahead.

The council is currently awaiting planners to approve the latter scheme, which includes brand new fencing, improved drainage and a new surface on the courts.