A BLACKBURN school's new look premises were officially launched yesterday.

At the end of the summer term Newfield special school said goodbye to 60 years of history and held its final classes at its Roman Road site.

Since September the school - which caters for 150 special needs pupils aged two to 19 - has been based in a £6million building in Old Bank Lane.

Facilities, provided from funding from the DfES and Blackburn with Darwen Council, include a hydrotherapy pool, two multi sensory studios which help children with visual and sensory difficulties, a large hall space for dance, drama, PE and school gatherings, and flat with kitchen and bathroom for older pupils to learn independent living skills.

And yesterday Leader of the Commons and Blackburn MP Jack Straw joined religious leaders including the Rt Rev Nicholas Reade, Bishop of Blackburn; Syed Munawar Shah, Imam, Madni Mosque and Hindu priest Mudhusudan Davey as the school celebrated its opening and cultural diversity.

He also received a portrait of himself, created by pupils.