Two primary schools with some of the most rundown buildings in Oxfordshire are pinning their hopes on a bid for almost £5m of Government cash to transform them.

Bayards Hill Primary School and Wood Farm Primary School in Oxford are being put forward by Oxfordshire County Council to pilot the Government's Primary Capital Programme.

It is hoped the project will raise standards as well as transforming the schools into "community hubs". If the bid is successful, Bayards Hill at Barton will secure £2m and Wood Farm will get £2.7 for rebuilding and renovation work in 2008.

The regional pilot projects will be the first stage of the Government's proposed 15-year programme to modernise primary schools in England.

If Oxfordshire's bid fails, the county will eventually receive funding through the programme and it is likely that these two schools will be chosen.

Michael Waine, the council's cabinet member for schools improvement, joined Oxford East MP Andrew Smith on a tour of the two schools yesterday.

Michael Mill, the council's strategic manager for property and assets, said: "We have got a good case. They are in areas of greatest needs in the city.

"Alongside that, they have some of the poorest buildings. Bayards Hill is very old and high-maintenance and uses a lot of energy. There are also security issues there was a fire there recently.

"Wood Farm was probably the only primary school in the city that didn't have some work done as part of the schools' reorganisation. It's got a 1960s' concrete frame structure which is very poor."

Keith Ponsford, head of Bayards Hill, said: "This could be the most wonderful site. We've got an old secondary gym and that could be done up and used by the community."

David Lewin, head of Wood Farm, added: "We are looking to create a 21st century school where we can accommodate more personalised learning."