THIS week marked a fresh start for county’s smallest primary as it opened its doors as Herefordshire’s first free school.

New principal Peter Kyles, who quit his job at St Mary’s Primary School in Lugwardine to run St Mary’s CE Primary in Dilwyn, welcomed 24 pupils on Tuesday morning.

Describing the first day of the new term as “fantastic”, Peter said: “The theme for the school over the next few weeks is a new start.

“The staff worked for 18 months without salaries – that is the commitment they made. It speaks volumes.

“I am confident that in a couple of years we will be among the top schools in this region and we have a long and healthy future ahead of us.”