THE Works site in Ebbw Vale will receive £35 million from the Assembly to help build a school and leisure centre, it was announced yesterday.

The cash injection will be used to develop the Ebbw Vale Learning Works by providing a school for children aged three to 16 and a centre for sports, leisure and arts at the former Corus steelworks site.

The scheme was one of 10 bids chosen to share almost £120 million by the Assembly - the minister for finance and public service delivery Andrew Davies announced yesterday.

The new learning centre will cover primary education right through to degree-level and will replace Pen-y-Cwm School.

Education minister Jane Hutt is expected to announce further details today.

Ebbw Vale north councillor Jen Morgan said: "This funding will be a tremendous boost to education in this area, it’s excellent news."

The Works site, which is set to open in 2010, will also include a new general hospital and a family history and genealogy visitor centre.

The visitor centre will house the Gwent Record Office and feature the latest in interactive technology, including a digital newspaper archive, photos, maps and films as well as multi-touch surfaces, interactive games and a 3D cinema.

The Works is a joint venture between Blaenau Gwent council and the Assembly worth around £300 million and will potentially provide 2,000 new jobs for the local community.

Blaenau Gwent council did not want to comment on the latest funding.