A HAILSTORM failed to dampen the spirits of the staff and pupils of a Teesdale school as they posed for their very own millennium picture.

The skies opened as children and teachers from Ingleton Primary School gathered outside to mark their millennium celebrations.

The school, which has doubled in size during the last four years, is planning to build an extension to cope with the growing number of pupils.

It has 71 pupils, compared with 35 in 1997.

Headteacher Judith Pressley said an extra classroom would be needed soon.

She said: "We decided to have the picture taken on the site of the proposed extension.

"The school is growing all the time so an extra classroom is essential, and we have already had some architects in to have a look, but either way it is an exciting time for us.

"Unluckily, there was a massive hailstorm at the time of our millennium picture so I think everyone was eager to get back inside before we all got too wet.