TWO schools are set to be built within Liverpool’s iconic Littlewoods building.

The iconic art deco building, within Edge Lane’s new Innovation Park, was built by the Pools firm’s founders in 1938, but has sat empty for years.

But now the building is set to “be saved” and become the home of two Liverpool high schools as part of a £348m overhaul of the city’s secondaries by 2013. Last night it was confirmed city planners will be asked to authorise the construction of two schools within the building – with Liverpool Council pledging to ensure its historical features are preserved.

It would pave the way for two Church of England secondaries – Aigburth’s St Margaret’s and city-centre Archbishop Blanch to co-locate to the site.

The £45m building project is designed to boost the overall regeneration of the area.

And by forging links with the park’s 40 businesses, it is hoped would provide a raft of vocational opportunities and dovetail with the schools’ technology specialisms.

With governors’ blessing, St Hilda’s CE high would transfer from its outdated base in Sefton Park to the St Margaret’s site under the plans.

Although the Innovation Park move is backed by the Diocese, governors at St Margaret’s say they “cannot support a move to Edge Lane” – preferring the two schools’ home to be on the Aigburth site.

Last night Tim Warren, the council’s assistant education director, stressed nothing was “a done deal” but in order to submit water-tight plans before the government next month – planning permission was needed now.

And he said he was “hopeful” governors at St Margaret’s would back the plans during ongoing consultation.

The two schools would operate as separate entities but with access to a shared sixth form.

Stressing the benefits of the proposed move, Mr Warren said: “This will allow two schools to not only have excellent provision but allow them to develop their skills – here we have two technology specialists who would be in the epicentre of a science park.”