PARENT power has transformed an old agricultural shed at Hatherleigh Primary School into a bright new sports hall for the school and community.

The Morgan Hall scored a big hit with the 151 pupils on Friday when it was unveiled.

Named after deputy head of 17 years Mike Morgan, who died suddenly three years ago, the hall is a result of eight months of hard work and determination by one parent in particular — Pearl Devaney.

Not only will it give pupils a venue for all sports, but it will free up the dining hall to be used as a music and drama room in the mornings and afternoons.

When Pearl, whose seven-year-old son Joshua attends the school, joined the Hatherleigh School Association last summer, she decided to do something about the old building where the swimming pool once used to be located.

Redundant for many years, the building was just used for storage and even had a tree growing up in the middle of it.

OFSTED had highlighted the need for adequate sports facilities at the primary school and there was no stopping Pearl when she got going.

'It seemed the ideal place to have a sports hall and everybody was behind the idea,' said Pearl.

'It was just a case of getting the money, or so we thought, but that bit proved harder than we had imagined.

'I sent off lots of letters and the response was not brilliant to start with but just when I got really despondent, an envelope would turn up with a cheque for £1,000 inside.'

Around 20 local businesses and charitable organisations helped the cause and a modernisation grant from Devon County Council was also forthcoming.

When the £13,000 needed was in place, local tradesmen got to work to install an inner roof and insulation and a soft sports floor.

The walls were painted white and Pearl's artistic husband Jon painted on pictures of sportsmen and women.

The school will now be able to extend their sports curriculum with football and netball, hockey, gym and athletics to name a few.

Headteacher Linda Mitchell, who joined the school in January, said she was so lucky to be supported by parents like Pearl.

'Spare time with children is so precious, but Pearl has spent every minute of hers providing something that not only her child will benefit from but every child in this school and people in the wider community for years to come,' she said.

'The hall we used before was not high enough or safe enough for sports activities and we are absolutely delighted with this new facility.'

The decision to name the hall after Mr Morgan was the children's choice and his wife Jo said it was lovely to think his memory would go on.

'There will be lots of fun to be had in this hall and Mike would appreciate that,' she said.

'It is a brilliant idea and whereas the swimming pool was always dark and gloomy, the hall is so bright and airy it is a complete transformation.'