PUPILS of a fire-ravaged Newport school are set to return to their classrooms.

Work on the £7.5m Rogerstone primary school building has begun. It is hoped to be completed by the start of the school term in September 2006.

The previous building was destroyed by fire in April 2003 and since then pupils have been shuttled to the empty Westfield School at Malpas, Newport.

The city's mayor, Councillor Ken Critchley, this week joined pupils to officially cut the sod of the development.

Council bosses say the new school will be a standard-bearer for the promotion of sustainable building methods.

The building has been designed by Newport city council's in-house team who were tasked with providing a building which is economical to run and also uses minimal resources.

Built to accommodate more than 560 pupils, the building will include a "green" roof which will be covered with sedum plants.

Other features include: Energy supplied by solar panels; Non-drinking water partly recycled through rainwater harvesting; Natural ventilation throughout the building.

The building will allow the maximum amount of natural light and be a welcoming community school with opportunities for adult learning and community activities.

Councillor Bob Bright, leader of Newport city council, said: "The design of the Rogerstone school will be a flagship project in the South Wales region in terms of sustainable building and will have environmental, economic and social benefits for all."

Councillor Bob Poole, cabinet member for young people's services, said: "I look forward to seeing the teachers, staff and children returning to the Rogerstone school site for the start of the school year in September 2006 in a first-class 21st century building."

South Wales contractors, E Turner & Sons, who constructed the St Joseph's High School building and the Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre, have been awarded the contract to build the school.