Charlotte Leslie has given her support to an “inspiring” project to create a much-needed new primary school in Horfield.

Charlotte, the local MP for Bristol North West, gave her enthusiastic backing to the scheme to merge Orchard School Bristol and Filton Avenue Infant School to create a brand new school.

The school, which expects to have its first intake of pupils in September 2012, will be located on the existing Orchard School Bristol site, which will help ensure costs will be kept to a minimum.

The creation of the new school comes as Bristol City Council continues to seek ways to reduce the shortage of primary school places.

It is anticipated that by using the existing Orchard site, the new school will be ready not only in time but also will much lower costs than if it was built. It also makes use of empty space at the school, which was built in 2006, which also saves taxpayers money.

Welcoming the project, Charlotte said: “I have been very impressed by the work and determination of both schools and look forward to supporting this exciting new project.”

The new school will start the next academic year with a reception class for 30 children. It will then build up over subsequent years to create a full primary school up to Year 6.

Reception children will have classes in their own part of the Orchard campus and the two schools are looking to stagger start and finish times to reduce congestion.

It is anticipated that the younger children will benefit greatly from the wide range of expertise and facilities at Orchard.

Filton Avenue Infant and Orchard have been working together for some years in the One Voice partnership of schools in the Horfield area.

Charlotte said: “It is encouraging and inspiring to see schools thinking creatively then actually taking the initiative to work together to help solve bristol’s school places crisis.

“I am looking forward to watching their exciting progress continue as both schools carry on their excellent  work to give local children the very best education possible.”