A Mid Sussex school which has had temporary classrooms for more than 30 years could be a step closer to getting a permanent home.

Joan Penfold, 87, is giving 3.2 acres of land to East Sussex County Council in the hope it will replace Wivelsfield Primary School.

The present Victorian school in Church Lane has outgrown its half-acre site and more than half the 118 pupils are taught in temporary mobile classrooms.

Mrs Penfold, who lived in the village for 22 years, but now lives in Graveley Lane, Lindfield, decided she wanted to do something after hearing about the cramped conditions of children and teachers.

The Penfold Trust, of which she is a major shareholder, is offering the land free to the council.

She said: "The land is not used for any good purpose and the school needs it. I would like to see it done in my lifetime."

The school has been campaigning for a number of years after two temporary classrooms, installed in the Seventies, were replaced by larger cabins in the Nineties.

The gift of the greenfield site, known as Abbotsleigh, off North Common Road, was welcomed by parents and staff.

Head teacher Rita Tipple said she was delighted. She added: "I have heard from the council and they are optimistic but can't offer anything concrete."

Chairman of the parents' and teachers' association Dave Callaghan said: "We are extremely excited about the prospect.

"At the moment expectations are high that we can move the council forward in order to build a new school."

Chairwoman of the governors Marion Whear said: "This is the biggest development in our campaign for a new school in more than 30 years. We are extremely grateful to the Penfold Trust and would like to thank it."

A county council spokesman said: "It looks like a very exciting offer but we still have the problem of funding. The cost of the new school is something like £1.75 million.

"The value of the original site means we would still need to find over £1 million for the school."