PROPOSALS for a military academy in Colchester could be a step closer after ministers agreed to consider the idea.

Defence minister Kevan Jones said he will look at encouraging military academy schools in areas with historic military links and a large Army presences, such as Colchester.

He made the statement in Parliament, after North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin asked him what discussions had taken place about Army-sponsored academy schools, and whether he was considering a military academy in Colchester.

Conservative MP Mr Jenkin said the response was a “green light” for a military academy being a viable alternative to Essex County Council’s plans for a shake-up of Colchester secondary schools.