Construction of the new Rye Community Primary School in Love Lane is almost complete for the start of the new term on September 8.

The new £6 million project has taken just over a year to build and should be finished a week before (September 1).

Observer reporter Richard Gladstone met with county councillor Keith Glazier and contractors on Tuesday to see the finishing touches and view the new school.

Contractors were busy finishing off the interior decor and the soft play area.

Cllr Glazier, lead member for children and families, said: "Building started in July last year and an enormous amount of hard work has been put in by the team at the county council, our consultants, building contractors, head and temporary governing body.

"We have worked hard over the last three years to consult, design and deliver a new primary school for Rye.

""Rye needs a new primary school and the whole design of the school has been welcomed by the majority of people.

"This is an exciting prospect for the town and, together with the new children's centre, we are talking about £7 million of investment for Rye.

"The school will open on time and hopefully all of the children getting their education there will get it in a 21st century building with 21st century teaching standards."

He said the building had been designed to be airy and naturally ventilated and environmentally friendly.

The school has underfloor heating and no radiators and the lights come on in the rooms when people enter.

Paul Reilly, the new headteacher, said the school can accommodate up to 330 pupils and already had 224 children on its register.

He said: "Our current classes are virtually full. We are getting a large number of children from other areas such as Hastings and Fairlight.

"The school is proving to be popular before it has even opened."

Mr Reilly said natural pastel colours had been deliberately chosen for the new school and were certainly not 'garish'.

The building has 11 classrooms in total, each with their own toilet facilities and named after sea creatures, IT suites, library facilities, a medical room, sports room and playground.