WORK to demolish the former Barrhead High School is under way.

Bulldozers have moved into the Aurs Road site to flatten the building, where generations of Barrhead children were taught over the years.

The demolition work has started just days after a ceremony took place to officially open the new £30million Barrhead High that was built just yards away.

A spokesman for East Renfrewshire Council said it will take more than six months to clear the old site.

He told the Barrhead News: “The project, which will include the creation of a new running track and sports pitch, as well as car parking and the relocation of the skate park, is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.”

The old Barrhead High was in use for almost half a century but had been lying empty for almost a year.

Last October, the Barrhead News told how the building had been targeted by arsonists, with extensive damage caused.

Thieves also broke into the building, with a number of items stolen.

The new Barrhead High, constructed as part of the Scottish Futures Trust programme, was delivered by East Renfrewshire Council in partnership with West Scotland, the local authority’s development partner.

More than three million hours of work and 2,200 on-site staff were involved in delivering the new school.

Construction involved 12,000 tonnes of concrete, 45,000 metres of wires, 2,000 plug-in points and 8,000 bricks.

The school boasts modern teaching spaces, a library, science labs and performance areas.

In addition, there are no fewer than 70 toilets.

Councillor Paul O’Kane, East Renfrewshire’s education and equalities convener, said: “We are committed to delivering the very best education for all our children and young people and the state-of-the-art facilities now available at Barrhead High will certainly provide fabulous learning opportunities for all its pupils.

“It is without doubt a school that the pupils will be proud to be a part of and will provide a springboard for continuing to raise attainment levels across the board.”