CONTRACTORS and financial backers of the new West of London Academy celebrated the "topping out" of the new building on Friday.

The new £37million centre in Northolt is due to open in time for the autumn term next year. West of London Academy will provide places for 1,600 children from nursery age right through to primary and secondary school age.

As well as a crech it has also been designed with a special educational needs and community sports facilities.

The construction works is being sponsored by Reed Executive PLC chairman, Alec Reed to the tune of £2.1million.

The partnership building the academy is one of just 30 planned academies set to be established in London by 2008.

Mr Reed, chairman of Reed Executive, said: "I am immensely proud to be involved with the West of London Academy.

"It is going to be a cutting edge example of a school."