THREE schools in Worcestershire have secured big expansions to help cope with the county's baby boom.

After years of population growth Worcestershire County Council has handed the go-ahead for a trio of sites to enlarge from September 2017.

The most significant one is Red Hill C of E Primary in Midhurst Close, Worcester, which will go from 30 pupils in each year group to 60 - doubling in size.

Elsewhere, Rushwick C of E Primary in Malvern will go from 20 children per year group to 30, while Wychbold First School in Droitwich will expand by the same size.

The changes have been backed by County Hall's Conservative cabinet, which said the changes have the backing of all three school governing bodies.

Red Hill Primary will now undergo a huge overhaul, with six extra classes constructed alongside other new-build facilities to accommodate the pupils.

The cost is being estimated at £1.8 million, of which some will come from taxpayers and the rest from developer's contributions for building new houses, known as Section 106 money.

A council report on it calls the school "popular and successful" and says it is regularly oversubscribed for places.

Back in 2011 council chiefs considered expanding it from 30 to 45 pupils per year group, but decided to progress development at other schools after a negative consultation response.

But with the baby boomers getting older it now cannot offer places to everyone within the catchment area, with a fresh consultation getting a favourable response.

Elsewhere, the changes at Rushwick C of E Primary will see around £910,500 sunk into an extension, while Wychbold First School will require a smaller upgrade costing an estimated £378,664.

The cabinet has backed the changes, saying they look forward to all three schools making the leap.

Councillor John Campion, cabinet member for children and families, said: "We have to make sensible decisions to provide an appropriate number of school places, of course it's down to extra house building, which is a good thing.

"This is an example of us working with our communities to help deliver world class education."

Fellow cabinet member Councillor Marc Bayliss, who represents the area where Red Hill C of E School is situated, said he was "particularly delighted".

"It's a part of Worcester very much in need of additional places - it's a popular, good school within the community," he added.

After the meeting Spencer Morris, the head teacher, said: "In the past a number of families who live in our catchment area have not been successful in obtaining a place at our school.

"As an over-subscribed 'good' (Ofsted rated) school we are really pleased to work with the authority to ensure all children within our community can attend their local school."