THE CASH to build new secondary schools for Caldicot and Monmouth has been formally approved by the Welsh Government.

Monmouthshire County Council and the Welsh Government will each fund half the cost of the new schools which are due to open in 2017.

The council is also working on a bid to replace Chepstow School during the next round of government funding which is due to start in 2018 and has made a financial commitment towards a new Welsh- medium high school in the Duffryn area of Newport.

The designs for the new schools in Monmouth and Caldicot can be seen at County Hall in Usk and it is planned to establish further exhibitions and digital media links throughout the county in the near future.

Headteacher of Caldicot School, Susan Gwyer-Roberts, said: "This will allow us to develop even further enhanced learning opportunities for our pupils while promoting the vision and national priorities for education in Wales."

Tim Bird, deputy headteacher at Monmouth Comprehensive said: "We are delighted that the Welsh Government is investing in the future of young people in Monmouth and its surrounding area for generations to come. 

"As a community we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to design learning environments that match the aspirations and abilities of our inspiring young people."