A DELEGATION of government officials from Malaysia has visited Hereford's new £15 million high school.

The group of 12, including politicians and civil servants, were in the city to see work on Whitecross High School.

When it opens next summer, the school - which has been funded under the Private Finance Initiative - will have 900 students.

Under the arrangement, Herefordshire Council will be responsible for the teaching and staff but private sector partner Whitecross and Stepnell has responsibility for the state-of-the-art building, that includes a grass roof.

The 25-year contract for the building is worth £80 million and is part-funded with money from central Government.