A PRIMARY school has decided to let community groups and a housing trust use one its classrooms.

Grange Primary has given Weaver Vale Housing Trust and Grange Residents' Association permission to use one of its room in a bid to work together in the community.

Chairman of governors Don Beckett believes the move will benefit the school and organisations.

He said: "An agreement has been made that the community room can be used by the trust and residents' group through a partnership arrangement.

"This will make better use of the school and utilise it fully in the school day and the evenings as well."

Weaver Vale Housing Trust will use the room to meet with tenants and the residents' association will use it for meetings and drop in sessions. Mr Beckett has assured people visiting the school will not come into contact with the children.

He said: "There is a separate entrance for the community room so people will not have to walk through the school."

Mr Beckett also stated that the move is to benefit the community and not in response to the Transforming Learning Communities (TLC) initiative which is currently looking at ways to reduce surplus pupil numbers in Winsford schools.

He said: "We have always wanted to get involved in the community as we believe the school is there for children and the community."

Mike Kennedy, chairman of Grange Residents' Association, said: "We consider Grange Primary School to be at the heart of our community.

"The past links we have had with the school have been of benefit to both them and the community."