A LONG-SERVING school secretary has cut the ribbon to open a £3.5m school building.

Pupils at Cockerton School, in Darlington, were taught in their new school yesterday after a year-long building project.

Parents and former pupils were given a preview of the project on Sunday.

Yesterday, students presented school secretary Chris Burniston, who has worked at Cockerton for more than 20 years, with flowers before she opened the building.

Headteacher Chris Metcalfe said: "It is a complete replacement of accommodation. We have a specialist performing arts studio, a separate dining hall and sports hall, larger classrooms and improved accommodation.

"It is absolutely fantastic and long overdue.

"It is the culmination of several years' work to appoint the architects and build on the ideas of staff and pupils."

Funding for the £3.5m project came from the school, local education authority grants and the Durham diocese.

Mr Metcalfe said: "The pupils are over the moon to be in the new building and are thoroughly impressed."

They went to the old school during building work.

The former school is expected to be demolished next month.

It will be replaced by a playground, sports pitches and a nature reserve.