People can have a first look at plans to merge and expand two Braintree schools at a public exhibition event taking place tomorrow afternoon.

Essex County Council wants to integrate John Bunyan infant and junior schools to make one primary school.

The new school would be larger, allowing up to 90 pupils to be taken on in each year group.

County Hall is providing £877,000 for the expansion project, and aims to have the schools merged in January.

Subject to the consultation and the appropriate planning permission being granted, construction work would begin in March next year.

The aim is then for the project to be completed in time for the new academic year in September 2016.

The expansion would allow the existing junior school to match the capacity of the infants.

A new building, including two classrooms, school library and staff room, would be built to link the existing school sites.

The current car park would also be expanded under the proposed scheme.

People can view the floor plans and artists’ impressions at the exhibition.

Council officers will also be on hand to discuss the plans and answer any questions people may have.

Ray Gooding, county councillor for education, said: “Braintree, like other parts of Essex, continues to grow and the demand for school places is also increasing.

“We are committed to delivering the new school places needed to meet that demand and are planning to spend about £200million over the next five years.

“These are exciting times at John Bunyan Infant and Junior Schools and I would encourage both parents and residents to have their say by taking part in the consultation.”

Deborah Bailey, executive headteacher of John Bunyan Infant and Junior Schools, added: “Thanks must go to staff and governors for their hard work and resilience in securing this investment for our community.

“It will ensure that we have the facilities to deliver our exciting range of curricular and extra-curricular opportunities.”

The exhibition takes place at John Bunyan Infant School, in Lancaster Way, Braintree, from 2.30pm until 7pm tomorrow.

People can drop in at anytime to view the proposals.

Details of the plans and a consultation questionnaire are also available on the Essex Insight website throughout the consultation period.

People have until Wednesday September 23 to have their say in the consultation.