Pupils and staff at Workington Academy marked a key step in the new school's journey with a turf cutting ceremony this week.

Headteacher Jonathan Logan was watched by colleagues, construction workers and guests,including Workington mayor Carole Armstrong, as he cut the ground to mark the official start of work on the new school building.

Contractors arrived on site in August to set up offices and begin preparations for the project.

Work began three weeks ago to prepare the site and install piling platforms, ahead of piling work beginning today.

Steelwork is due to begin on November 16, with most of the structure complete by Christmas.

The building is scheduled to be weatherproof by the spring, ahead of fitting out.

Over Christmas 2016, equipment and resources will be moved into the new building, ready for staff and students to move in in January 2017.

The project is being led by Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd and project manager is Richard Parker, of Seaton.

Dearham firm Ashcroft Plant is doing the earthworks, while precast concrete will come from Silloth firm Atlas Concrete.

The building work follows the creation of the academy to replace the town's Stainburn and Southfield schools.

It is run by the William Howard Multi-Academy Trust, whose executive headteacher helped oversee the previous schools prior to their closure.

Mrs Hughes said: "This has been a journey and a half. It's taken a year-and-a-half since I started.

"The students and community deserve this. It's been a long time coming.

"I can't wait until January 2017 to walk into that fantastic new building."

Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd has operated in Cumbria for 35 years through work at Sellafield.

It has also been involved in building around 35 schools.

Andrew McAlpine, partner and director, said: "We are delighted to be here and involved."