A SCHOOL is hoping to turn little-used buildings into business opportunities.

Consultants have been hired by Oldborough Manor School, Maidstone, to advise on the best way of developing its premises and other assets.Foster Brown Associates are advising the school's senior staff and governors on the best way to transform Oldborough into a "community learning centre".

One of the ideas is to create small business education units by refurbishing existing buildings.

The project is being undertaken with several agencies across Kent and has already attracted around £25,000 of European cash. More could be on

the way if the project wins wider approval.

Consultants Gordon Brown and John Foster are to brief local business leaders at a breakfast hosted by Maidstone Chamber of Commerce in Leeds Castle next Friday.

Don Wright, chairman of governors, said the school wanted to attract businesses that could be linked to educational training. In particular, it would be looking at ways of encouraging ex-pupils to set up their own

businesses on the site.

"We want to utilise what in the past have always been very under-utilised areas of the school to the benefit of the community," he said. "Oldborough has always looked on itself as part of the community and

wishes to increase its involvement and put more back in.

"It will be very much small units, one or two-man bands, involved in high and low-tech businesses."

Meanwhile, the school is developing other plans for taking over a field owned by Kent County Council at Mangravet, and creating an all-weather running track.