A NORTH Herefordshire primary school has swapped its old school house for a new extension block.

Almeley Primary School held a special opening ceremony for the renovated building comprising of an administration room, the head teacher's study, and a new entrance foyer.

Cash to make the alterations came from the school's devolved capital, and donations from the specially formed committee Convert Almeley School House (CASH).

The LEA also provided funding to enable the second phase of building work to go ahead simultaneously resulting in what teachers describe as 'the most desirable staff room in Herefordshire or even further afield'.

Trustee, governor and former pupil, Councillor John Hope was on hand to open the new extension block in the company of Herefordshire Council's Director of Education Dr Eddie Oram.

Work has now commenced to complete the computer suite and library along with enlargements to a classroom and the infant play area.

Head teacher, Dorrie Coates explained that when she arrived at the school four and a half years ago, there were 15 children at the school.

Now with 56 pupils currently on the register, and a further 13 applications for September the school is bigger than ever.