A school's wartime past will come to life when a new visitor's centre is opened.

Maidstone Grammar School for Girls in Buckland Road got permission to open the facility as part of a new block of classrooms.

Two older teaching blocks, one of which is used for science lessons, will be demolished, and the school will be able to increase its roll from 900 to 1,050 pupils.

Plans were discussed during a meeting of Kent County Council's planning applications committee this morning.

The school will be able to take on an extra 30 pupils from year seven meaning it will be at full capacity by September 2027.

The visitor's centre will be used for exhibition space for visiting primary school pupils to gain an experience of what life was like during the Second World War.

There will also be opportunities for members of the public to take part in guided tours down to on-site air raid shelters and wartime tunnels which run under where the building is due to be sited.

The school moved to its current location in 1938 and three shelters were constructed so learning could continue during the air raids.

It was believed the school was in a vulnerable position due to its location on the intersection of the Medway Valley and Maidstone train lines.

The plans included showing where the tunnel runs under the building along the floor.

There will also be solar panels on the roof and some sheltered outdoor seating.

The building will include five new classrooms, five science labs, a science prep room, five music suites, a music classroom, PE store, and a music store.

Members of the planning committee supported the plans, although some were concerned over how there wouldn't be any more parking provision.

Permission for the plans was granted subject to funding coming forward for more bus services if they are needed to accommodate for the increased number of pupils.