A legal battle over the Dundonald Primary School expansion will reach a head on Friday as campaigners return to the High Court in an attempt to block building work by Merton Council.

The council said it is ready to sign a contract for work to begin at the school in Dundonald Road in Wimbledon, but campaigners have applied for a court injunction to halt them.

A judge will decide on Friday, September 12.

Councillor Martin Whelton, who is cabinet member for education, said: "We are confident we will win our case.

"The council believes it has a strong case in providing more school places, there’s clearly a demand.

"We believe the facilities will considerably enhance the school."

Dundonald Rec is a 48,000sq m public park in Wimbledon with sports facilities including two cricket and football pitches, a bowling green, tennis courts, playground and a pavilion.

Campaigners argue the decision to approve a planning application for a 579sq m expansion of the school, making room for an extra 30 school places, did not properly consider residents' use of the recreation area which they said were threatened by the plans.

Lorraine Maries from the Protect Dundonald Rec group said: "Our legal advice is that we have a strong possibility of winning the appeal and reversing the council’s decision.

"If unchallenged the Dundonald decision would change the face of parks throughout the country as it confers unlimited powers to local authorities."

Coun Whelton said a contract with FM Conway was ready to sign on Friday, depending on the outcome of the hearing in London.

Coun Whelton said: "If they fail in that, which we hope they do, we will proceed.

"We don’t want to spend more time on these frivolous judicial reviews - it is time to move on."

The hearing is the latest twist in an on-going tale.