A controversial plan to create a large new primary school has moved a step closer.

County councillors backed the proposal to merge Wantage infants and juniors.

Residents had raised concerns over road safety, but officers promised measures would be taken to tackle the problem.

The 2.5m project would mean closing the infants' site in Church Street, and demolishing the junior school in Newbury Street to make way for the new development.

It is backed by the Anglican Diocese, both governing bodies and the majority of parents, and would see the creation of a unified church primary school for 420 pupils aged five to 11. The new school, including a nursery, is to open in September 2002, subject to planning consent from the Vale of White Horse District Council.

It would be funded by the sale of Wantage County Primary School, which closed a year ago, and the possible sale of the infants' site.