A beleaguered school that occupies "probably the worst school buildings in the country" is facing a fight with residents over its move to a new site.

Leaders of St Phillip's School in Girlington today begged local people to back their bid to build a new school on Girlington recreation ground.

The school occupies vandal-hit temporary buildings in Washington Street "surrounded by rubbish", according to the head of governors.

But their bid to move to a new site at West Park Road has run into opposition from neighbours who resent the loss of green space.

School leaders have been trying to move to new buildings for 16 years but successive schemes have fallen through.

Now the new proposal has run into controversy with residents in West Park Road who have signed a petition demanding their park be left alone.

It features two crown bowling greens, a children's play area and space to play basketball, football and cricket.

The Reverend Tony Tooby, chairman of governors at St Phillip's, said: "At the moment people are going on hearsay.

"We would like to have a proper consultation, show them the plans.

"If the people of Girlington still say 'no' having seen the plans, we'll stand by that."

But he hopes people will be convinced by the detailed scheme, which includes an astroturf pitch that would be available for community use in the evenings.

There is a chance that the land the school now occupies could be redeveloped as a green park.

Councillor David Ward, executive member for education, acknowledged the strength of feeling over preserving green space in built-up Girlington, but said: "St Phillip's is the worst school site in the district and probably in the whole country.

"It's a dreadful building and a very poor site."

Councillor Arshad Hussain (Con, Toller) is backing the petitioners.

"Even the parents of children at the Girlington school are not in favour of it being built on the park, because it is the only bit of green space we have," he claimed.

"Yes, there is a need for a school, but you are taking away one facility to provide another and we are not going to let it happen."