ONE of the largest secondary schools in west Wiltshire could be knocked down and rebuilt as part of a £20m project.

Wiltshire County Council officers are recommending that George Ward School, in Shurnhold, Melksham, is chosen for the government-funded Pathfinder project.

Members of the council's children and education advisory panel will meet on Friday morning to discuss the recommendation.

The John of Gaunt School in Trowbridge and Wyvern College/St Edmund's School in Laverstock were also in the running, but George Ward has emerged as the front-runner.

If approved the 1,227-pupil school would be knocked down and rebuilt on Woolmore Farm in the Bowerhill end of town.

Officers said rebuilding John of Gaunt in the east of Trowbridge was not achievable within the available budget.

If the panel approves George Ward then the county council's cabinet will make a final decision on March 17.

The county council will then submit its proposal to the Department for Education and Skills.