Under the proposals, a new school will be built on the former Bates Colliery site, and Newsham County First School and New Delaval First School will all be replaced.

Northumberland County Council had already approved the planning applications, and during a meeting of Blyth Valley Borough Council's development control panel, members raised no objections.

The new school on the Bates site will be located on land which has been used since the colliery buildings and infrastructure were removed several years ago.

The two-storey building will accommodate 420 pupils, and will be part of a new residential development coming to the area as part of the council's regeneration scheme.

A report to the panel stated: "The application and subsequent development is required to facilitate the introduction of a two-tier schooling system within Northumberland in conjunction with upgrading school facilities.

"The existing school at Morpeth Road was built in the Victorian era and no longer meets the educational requirements of the present day."

The school will include up-to-date classrooms, and community facilities including playing pitches, changing rooms, and a main hall.

The new building at Newsham will accomodate 420 pupils and the New Delaval site will cater for 210.