THE number of school places available to Welsh speaking pupils in Wrexham is set to increase.

Wrexham Council is preparing to launch a consultation on expanding the capacity at Ysgol Bro Alun in Gwersyllt from 210 to 315.

It comes as the authority looks to address the continued demand for Welsh medium places in the county.

The £5.9 million primary school opened in September 2013, but the education authority is currently unable to meet the demand in the surrounding area after being forced to turn pupils away for the second year running.

Council leader Mark Pritchard said: "I think it's the way forward and the demand's there, plus the Welsh Government wants one million Welsh speakers by 2050.

"It's good to see the language coming back, it's wonderful."

Interim chief executive Clare Field said: "It's a very popular school and we've got a good headteacher there, who's doing really well.

"It's going to help us with our town centre youngsters too, because we can accommodate more out there."

The move is subject to a successful bid to Welsh Government to support the extension of the school building, which would also see nursery places boosted to 45.

If approved by executive board members on Tuesday, the consultation will take place between September 18 and November 15 2018.

It will last for at least 42 days with at least 20 of these required to be school days.