IT was a real red letter day for a primary school in Tavistock on Monday when the Bishop of Exeter opened a new wing at the school.

It followed several years of hard work, determination and well over £1-million to provide the new building at St Peter's CofE Primary.

The Brentor Wing, which boasts three new classrooms, a community room and new reception area, was a joint £1.5-million project by Devon County Council and the Diocese of Exeter to update the ageing building.

The funding was also used to update the rest of the building, providing refurbished toilets, a medical room, a new library and IT suite, and landscaping works, including an outdoor stage, climbing frame and cycle storage area.

Bishop of Exeter the Rt Rev Michael Langrish cut the ribbon officially to open the building and blessed the new wing and the rest of the classrooms.

He said: 'I know things like this don't happen without lots of hard work.

'I know the governors have been pressing for this for a while, local councillors have been banging on tables and the head, teachers and staff have had to make sure the school kept running. Lots of thanks go to everyone for this community project.'

The new community room has been named the John George room after the previous head.

Chair of governors Tim Jones said they had been trying to get the funding for a long time:?'We came close on several occasions.?Because of the amount we raised and as we had all the plans in place, we were top of the list.

'What's happened since has more than fulfilled our hopes and the extension is magnificent — I am absolutely delighted with every aspect of the project.

'It has completely transformed the school even though this is only phase one of the original plan of a complete rebuild. The problem was that it was an archetypal 1960s open plan building — completely unsuitable for modern use.

'However, the hall is fine, the kitchen is fine and we've been able to refurbish the rest of the school to an acceptable standard.

'The three new classrooms give better space. We are still hoping to fulfil the original plan in time.'

Mr Jones paid tribute to the pupils and all the staff for keeping going during the building work: 'It meant we were able to spend £30,000 more on the new building rather than having to spend it on temporary classrooms.

'We also have to thank the previous governing body for having the vision to initiate the project, the PTA and the team from the diocese for all the tremendous work they have done, and MP Geoffrey Cox and representatives of Devon County Council Debo Sellis and Christine Channon — all three took the trouble to visit us to make sure we got the funding in place.'

Headteacher at St Peter's Clare Wesson said: ,'The PTA have been brilliant — over the last ten years they raised £67,000 and in the last year alone they raised £20,000. This project has transformed the learning space for the children here.'

Cllr Debo Sellis, who helped the school to secure funding, said: 'This is a joyous celebration. It is really good for the community and really good for the future.

'Well done to the board of governors and staff and pupils for putting up with the work.'

The impressive new wing has already gained recognition after being nominated for an award.

Diocesan surveyor (education) Jason Down, who designed the project, said: 'It has taken 18 months from start to finish with 40 weeks spent on site.

'We finished seven weeks ahead of schedule and under budget.

'The project was nominated for the Local Authority Building Control Awards but didn't make it to the finals.

'I would love to now knock down the next wing of the school and rebuild it but due to government funding it's not possible at the moment.'