CONSULTANTS could soon be drafted in to run the rule over the proposed development of a vocational centre on Canvey.

Members of Castle Point Council's cabinet will be asked to approve hiring an outside firm to look at the feasibility of the centre.

The study will attempt to work out which courses can be taught from the centre and how the building would work with other schools.

It will be built using money from the Learning and Skills Council and is part of the shake-up of secondary schools on Canvey.

A group of partners, including the county and borough councils and the Learning and Skills Council, has agreed to close Furtherwick Park School and redevelop Castle View School and Cornelius Vermuyden.

The vocational centre, which will be aimed at students aged 14 and above, will also be built to encourage young people to remain in education and develop some practical skills.

Development of the building, on the old Castle View site, is planned to begin in 2010.