A NORTH-EAST school has scored a huge success with the opening of a nursery and sports hall.

Pallster Park Primary School, in Middlesbrough, welcomed back former pupil and Boro flying winger Stewart Downing to open the hall.

Work on the sports hall cost £125,000, with £77,000 coming from the Big Lottery Fund. The £700,000 nursery block was paid for by Middlesbrough Council as part of a drive to remove all temporary classroom buildings.

Headteacher Chris Wain said: "The school is renowned for its commitment to both excellence in our foundation stage and sporting success and these new facilities will enable the children to achieve even more."