A new primary school could be built on the campus of Plymouth's Marine Academy at St Budeaux.

It would be one of the government's new free schools, which opt out of local authority control.

The school would still be sponsored by the city council though and would be run by the trust which already operates the academy on the same site.

Principal of the Marine Academy Helen Mathieson says there is a desperate shortage of primary school places in the area and that while free schools have been controversial, it would be run by people who are already operating a school.

A formal petition of interest has now been launched by Marine Academy and locals have until February 12th to have their say - click here for more information.