SCHOOLS taking on service children next year will have more staff and resources to cope with the increase in pupil numbers.

Funding has been secured to ease the pressure put on schools in and around Salisbury Plain and other military bases, as 4,000 service personnel and 3,200 dependants move to Wiltshire as part of the Army Basing Programme.

School places must be found for 1,125 children at school and 90 in nursery across Wiltshire, of which 420 will be found at Ludgershall Primary School and 30 for nurseries in the area.

New homes in Ludgershall will be built for 242 families.

Minister for School Standards Nick Gibb made the announcement which will ensure schools are ready for the increase in pupils.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook, OBE, Leader of Wiltshire Council has campaigned for funding and said: “We are delighted the representations we made to the government on this unusual situation have been recognised and this necessary funding is now available.

“We’ll be reviewing the detail alongside our schools, however this announcement will take the worry away from schools and will help with their planning.

“Meanwhile, the work on the school build programme, funded separately by the Ministry of Defence, is on target and the infrastructure is taking shape to ensure Wiltshire is ready to welcome service personnel on their return in 2019.”