A £31m plan to rebuild Cressex Community School will go ahead, councillors decided today.

This decision comes two days after the school suffered a suspected arson in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The existing English department was destroyed and the Modern Language block was damaged in two separate fires.

The plans will see the school built within current grounds in Holmers Lane, Cressex.

Councillors gave the go-ahead at Buckinghamshire County Council's development control committee in County Hall in Aylesbury.

The school was promised the money last year by the Government's Building Schools for the Future scheme.

School governors, staff and Buckinghamshire County Council applied for funding to rebuild the crumbling premises.

The school currently offers 872 places for 11 to 19-year-olds, with more than 500 on the waiting list.

New plans would see all 18 buildings demolished with landscaping to the grounds, new car parking, and playgrounds plus new access from Holmers Farm Way.

The application was recommended for approval by council officers.