A MAJOR extension to Exbourne Primary School has been unveiled, following the official opening of the new school house.

With funding from Exbourne School House Trust and Devon County Council, the house adjacent to the school was acquired and converted for school use.

Headteacher Celia West said: ?Although we love the setting of our village school, we have always been hampered by a lack of space ? no staffroom, no proper library and recently, very limited use of the school hall.

?Now through the vision and determination of the governors, members of a specially formed Trust and with county support we have been able to address these problems.?

Mrs West added: ?The purchase of what has become the school house and its subsequent refurbishment have given us an excellent base for our youngest children, a further teaching base and a staffroom.?

A conservatory and extended porch area of the house are currently under construction. Further money from the Jubilee Fund has enabled the building of a mezzanine floor and equipment for a proper library area.

Prof Michael Winter, chairman of governors, said: ?We are enormously grateful to all the many individuals who have contributed in any way to the realisation of these projects.?

The school house was officially opened on June 4 by one of the School House Trust?s patrons, Lord Mancroft.