DIGNITARIES mixed with school children and staff at Park View Primary School as they celebrated the official opening of a new extension.

From plans which were drawn up more than 15 years ago, the Prestwich school finally saw their ideas come to fruition with a £150,000 extension.

Improvements included a new modern office, bigger staff room and cloakroom facility, new disabled toilets and a new pupil cloakroom and toilets.

The latest changes are part of a wider school development plan that has seen Park View gain two extra playgrounds, an extension of the main hall, an ICT suite, modern library and other teaching accommodation improvements.

Plans still to be carried out include the replacement of four old, prefabricated classrooms, the creation of extra recreational areas, modern SEN facilities and a music room.

Headteacher Les Horton invited MP Ivan Lewis and director of education, Harold Williams along to an official launch of the extension and also present were members of the building team, contractors and architects, as well as governors, staff and PTA members.

Pupils in the choir entertained the guests and refreshments were enjoyed as visitors could take a tour of the new facilities.

Mr Horton said: "We wanted to say thank you to the people who contributed to the extension and to those who have supported a building site development plan that was conceived in 1987, which has seen a substantial improvement to the teaching and learning environment of the school."