Talks are taking place which could lead to school playing fields being sold to allow a Tesco superstore to expand.

The development package centres on Hazelwick School in Three Bridges, Crawley, which is next to a branch of Tesco that opened in 1987.

The company wants to use playing fields to increase the size of the store by almost a third and boost the number of parking bays from 620 to 749.

Council experts say the loss of part of the playing fields would be offset by using cash from the supermarket giant to build a floodlit all-weather sports pitch and a new games area.

The sports facilities would also be available for local teams to use.

The school supports the plans, which would also pay for new classrooms for drama and technology, a new library and accommodation for a school caretaker.

But there is concern that a bigger Tesco store could adversely affect Crawley town centre's County Mall shopping complex.

The main stumbling block facing Tesco is a report by West Sussex County Council's highways department, which has objected to the scheme.

The reports states the company has not done enough to make the store easily accessible to people without a car.

Officers want provision to improved public transport in Three Bridges and to the superstore, which they say is "poorly served" by buses at the moment.

However, the final decision on the planning application rests with Crawley Council.