CHILDREN looking forward to their first day of classes in a brand new school were left disappointed today when it failed to open, despite an official ceremony.

Some pupils at St Thomas Primary in Wheatley Lane Road, Barrowford, even enjoyed a sneak preview of the new building when it was unveiled by Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters yesterday.

The new building has reunited the school with St Thomas Church, 40 years after they were ripped apart by fire. The original Victorian church was destroyed by fire in 1965 and a new church was built further along the same road.

But it was later discovered that further work needed to be done and the school did not open today. Headteacher Alison Lloyd said remedial building work still had to be carried out and could not confirm when the school would reopen.

Lancashire County Council were unable to comment.

Work started on laying the foundations of the new primary school next to the church during the summer holidays last year and pupils who got the first chance to take a peek at their new surroundings were excited yesterday.

Lauren Blackburn, nine, of Mint Avenue, Barrowford, said: "I can't wait to get back to lessons. It's better than I thought it would be. I thought the hall was only going to be as big as our last hall, but it's much better. It's a lot brighter."

Fiona Parkinson, nine, of Lonsdale Gardens, Barrowford, was equally impressed. She said: "It's a lot brighter than our other school. There are bigger classrooms and everything is new. I am looking forward to coming back and I never am usually."

Sakkib Akhtar, 10, of Maurice Street, Nelson, said: "I am looking forward to going on the new computers most. This school is a lot bigger."

Neil Blackburn, chairman of governors, welcomed guests including Pendle MP Gordon Prentice and the Mayor and Mayoress of Pendle, Mrs Pauline McCormick and Gillian Carradice, before adding his own praise for teachers and children who had put up with the old building for so long.

He said: "The journey hasn't been easy, in fact it's been a long and winding road. As a church school we were responsible for 15 per cent of the cost of the building and having raised a quarter of a million pounds for the new roof on the church, £100,000 for a small community to raise seemed a long way off.

"But STARS -- St Thomas Appeal to Rebuild our School -- was set up and the total now stands at £73,000.

"The teachers have been magnificent spending many days of their holidays in this building making it attractive for when the children are back. We are all looking forward to building on the present relationship with the church now that we have a physical path between the two buildings."

The £700,000 development will cater for 120 pupils and includes four classrooms, a large hall, computer room, library, kitchen and staff rooms, as well as a sports field to the rear, a play area and an environment area.

Headteacher Alison Lloyd said: "It's very exciting. It's been a long time coming and everyone is really pleased with the new building. There's a real buzz of excitement around."