A NEW primary school built as part of a £61m expansion project has won a major award.

The Civitas Academy won the regional Community Benefit award at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors awards.

The £8.3m building was created by Reading Borough Council along with architects from Hampshire County Council and Balfour Beatty.

The school can host 420 pupils and include a community centre for neighbours to use.

It took top sport in the awards held in Southampton on May 17.

Councillor Tony Jones, Lead Member for Education, said: "Congratulations to everyone involved in the Civitas building project for winning this well-deserved award.

"When I attended the opening in February I was impressed by the style and quality of the building and by how much the pupils and staff enjoyed being in their wonderful new school.

"This award also recognises the great benefit local residents have gained from this investment with a modern new community centre."

The project was the final stage of the borough council's major expansion project creating an extra 2,520 primary school places in the town.

The Fairview Community Centre has its own independent access.

The first pupils were welcomed to the school in November 2016.