BRIGHT, tough, but definitely not a fortress.

That's the new Higher Folds primary school in Leigh which was officially opened last week.

Despite a few hiccups along the way, the verdict from teachers and pupils is that it has been worth the wait!

Work began three years ago on the £1.5m school, in Queensway, Leigh, but it was only finally completed last September, after the original building contractors went into voluntary administration before they could finish the job.

New builders G and J Seddon stepped into the breach at three days notice to make the building fit for use at the start of the September 2002 school year.

Now the new school is finished, the old building has been demolished.

Headteacher Janet Seddon said: "We wanted a low-maintenance, vandal-resistant building constructed on the site of the existing school's playground, while we carried on using the original building.

"Being bright and airy, the school creates a good learning and social environment for the children and staff. The architect's vision was to

create a building with a hard, protective outer shell and a child-friendly interior.

"It's a tough building, but one that doesn't look like a fortress."