PUPILS past and present celebrated a new addition to Minehead Middle School.

The official opening of the school's new classroom and reception block was a chance for governors, local headteachers and clergy, past head boys and girls to mark the event together.

They joined with current year six pupils - who will use the three new classrooms - and the builders, architects and suppliers of the project.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was carried out by head boy of the 2004/05 year and a possible future star of stage and screen Josh Wichard.

Current pupils watched and cheered as a time capsule containing samples of their uniform, photographs of themselves and their teachers and examples of their work was formally buried in the steps of the new block.

The new building replaces two Nissan huts and in addition to the classrooms, includes a bright and airy new reception, a first aid and meeting room, cloakroom space and a new dining facility.

Headteacher Paul Rushforth said: "We are delighted with these much-needed new facilities and very grateful to Slade Perry and Halsalls for achieving the project on time and under budget.

"It was particularly pleasing to see so many of our past head boys and girls at the event, going back to 2002, and how they are becoming and have become young adults to be proud of."