A RIBBLE Valley school has been officially reopened after a £165,000 refurbishment.

Canon Peter Ballard, diocesan director of education, opened St Leonard's Primary School in Langho in a ceremony which was also attended by the Rev Steve Cooper, parents and friends.

Headteacher Anne Pickup said the Whalley Road school had undergone more than six months of work to transform the building.

A new sewerage system has been installed, a new headteacher's office built, open plan classrooms have been divided and a small group teaching room has been created. The whole school has been redecorated. "It's lovely, bright, fresh and modern now. The children and staff love it and we all feel that it's a better working environment," said Mrs Pickup.

The facelift was planned for three years and work was finished at Easter.

During the opening ceremony representatives from each class spoke about their views of the improvements and then visitors were able to look around the school.

Pupils, staff, parents and friends still have to raise £9,000 of the school's £26,000 share of the project cost.

The rest of the money has been provided by the Department of Education.

Picture: The Rev Steve Cooper and Canon Peter Ballard cut the tape, with headteacher Anne Pickup and pupils looking on