A Norfolk academy was given a shot in the arm when a new £2.5m project to extend its history, art and science facilities was opened.

Pupils at Wymondham High Academy celebrated the official opening yesterday with Brian Hannah, vice-chairman of Norfolk County Council, who led proceedings.

The project included three new science laboratories, five history classrooms, four classrooms for art, a dark room and an ICT room and was funded by the county council.

It means that classes can be relocated from temporary mobiles on the school field into the new facilities, which have been fitted out with the latest equipment and technology.

Justin Smith, director of enterprise and community at the academy, said: 'The feedback we've had from teachers is that it's made such a difference to the learning.

'There's an awful lot of emphasis on the teaching and delivery of lessons, but the environment plays such an important part and to have a space to move around in, and which has some flexibility, makes an awful lot of difference.'

Work on the scheme took about a year, and features of the new block include 'flexible' walls which can be used to open up classrooms for displays, open evenings and events.

Joe Mooney, county councillor for Wymondham, said: 'This accommodation is essential to the growing community in Wymondham and means that students will no longer need to be taught in mobile classrooms. Instead, they will have access to state-of-the-art facilities which will further strengthen learning in the town.'

Mr Smith said future plans for the academy included working with Sport England and Wymondham Leisure Centre to develop an artificial pitch.