An Inverness school is to be expanded to create a new unit for young pupils with additional needs.
Highland Council has revealed plans to create new floor-space at Cauldeen Primary in the Hilton area of the city.
The contract for the works also includes provision of a seven-a-side size grass pitch and a mixed use sports area.
It is hoped that new unit could be up and running by summer next year.
It will cater for up to 16 children from across the Highland capital, some from outwith Cauldeen’s catchment area.
The works will involve creating more than 6,000 sq ft of new floor space, which will include four classrooms and social space, as well as office space and toilets.
It will involve the refurbishment and reconfiguration of existing accommodation.
There will also be drainage works and the provision of the sports facilities.
The contract for construction, worth more than £3million, has been awarded to Inverness-based McGregor Construction by the council.
A spokeswoman for the council said: “The Highland Council has proposed the creation of a provision for pre-school and early level pupils with additional support needs within Cauldeen Primary School.
“This provision will cater for the needs of young children across Inverness and be a resource for a wider group of children than those attending Cauldeen Primary School alone.
“It is hoped that this provision will be available by summer 2018 and will be able to cater for the needs of 12-16 young children.”
Cauldeen school has recently been highlighted as one of several schools across Inverness which could potentially suffer significant pressure because of spiralling numbers of pupils.
Its parent secondary Inverness Royal Academy is at 95% capacity but is forecast to reach 104% by 2018, 141% by 2025 and finally 161% in 2030.
Rolls at feeder schools such as Cauldeen, Hilton, Holm and Lochardil are also expected to spiral.
A new primary school is planned at Ness side.