SCIENCE lessons are to be given a facelift thanks to a major building investment.

Youngsters will be able to use the new, state-of-the art science laboratories at Bedale High School when they return after the Easter holidays. The purpose-built labs, which cost £500,000, will enable pupils to carry out their experiments in the correct environment instead of in makeshift classrooms.

Headteacher, John Critchlow, who retires in August after 18 years at the school, said: "We desperately needed the space and the new extension is absolutely great.

"We are lucky to have this building in the first place, which makes us look more like a college than a school. It's much more than just a building - it is something which shows the people here that we value them and in curriculum terms it will make a real difference."

The six-month building project has also provided the school with a food and technology suite, two further classrooms and new toilets.

The three-storey extension is part of a £35m investment by North Yorkshire County Council's education service into the county's schools. Others to benefit include Harrogate Grammar School, Tadcaster Grammar School, Giggleswick Primary School and a number of village schools.

Coun Chris Metcalfe, the county council's executive member for education, said: "This is typical of our drive to provide top quality accommodation for North Yorkshire children. This is part of our agenda for raising standards."

The new facilities are expected to be a boon for the burgeoning school population, which currently numbers 803. They were officially opened by North Yorkshire's director of education, Cynthia Welbourn, with Dr Critchlow and chair of governors Coun Arthur Barker.

Miss Welbourn said: "Coming on top of the new £250,000 library and music room, which the council built here a couple of years ago, this gives the school the specialist facilities it needs."

The project was designed by the council's in-house architects, the contract was awarded to Allerton Construction and rooms were fitted out by the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation.