THREE new schools will be needed and another six expanded to cope with the children of thousands of people expected to move into Kent Thameside in the next five years.

Work is already under way to provide 1,160 extra places by expanding four schools and building a new primary school at Swanscombe.

But even so, there will be 1,300 places too few to cope with the new developments being planned.

Councillors have been consulted about building new schools at Springhead (Northfleet), Riverside (Greenhithe) and in North Dartford. Work has already started on a new primary school in Craylands Lane, Swanscombe. It will be finished in 2003 and house 210 children.

The Maypole Community Primary School is being rebuilt on the Bexley Hospital site. By 2003, it will have 300 additional places at a cost of just over £2.5 million.

The total building programme is expected to cost over £27.6 million. More than £11 million is being spent on the second phase of the Swan Valley Community School in Swanscombe.

A detailed report for Kent Thameside Executive will be written in December.