An improved school reception area has been launched with the blessing of a bishop and some maypole dancing.

The Rt Rev Graham James, Bishop of Norwich, visited St Michael's Nursery and Infant School in Aylsham, which teaches youngsters aged three-seven.

He blessed the enlarged reception lobby, which was finished before Easter and paid for by housing development firm Norfolk Homes.

Bishop Graham was also given a tour of the school by pupils and watched the youngsters performing special maypole dances.

The school has traditionally held maypole dancing to mark May Day for several decades going back to the Victorian era.

Fiona Tibbitt, school office manager, said: 'The bishop really liked his visit. He is a lovely man and very friendly. It was really nice that he seemed to enjoy himself.'

Despite the rain on Wednesday, when Bishop Graham visited, the school continued with the event which impressed the church leader.

He made the visit with Rev Andrew Beane, vicar of Aylsham.

The maypole dancing was preceded by the crowning of the May queen - seven-year-old Nikhita Begley, from Aylsham.

She was crowned by former St Michael's Nursery and Infant School nursery nurse Valerie Cockaday, who retired from the post last summer after 36 years at the school.

Mrs Tibbitt added: 'The maypole dancing is something everyone looks forward to. It is a right of passage for the year 2 children who don't get to hold the ribbons until then.'

Children from the school will show off their maypole dancing skills at the school's summer fair on June 27.

And a group will also perform for older residents at St Michael's Court Care Home in Aylsham.