Staff and pupils from a 19th century school marked the completion of its �680,000 extension yesterday (Friday) with a concert and party.

Antingham and Southrepps Primary School's new extension has seen the removal of two mobile classrooms and saw former pupils, teachers and parents invited to celebrate at the official opening.

Headteacher Janice Kingman said: 'These new classrooms show that even though we are out in the sticks we are well thought of. The new building means the children can benefit from all of the latest technology.'

The grade II listed school has served the area since 1826 and was built by Lord Suffield for the children of the workers on his estate. It was last extended by the Victorians but since then number of children in the area has grown and the school, which has 108 pupils, is now over-subscribed.

Norfolk County Council led the project to update the building with funding from the government's Primary Capital Programme.

Councillor for the area Graham Jones said: 'Antingham and Southrepps school is a very popular school and the need for the improvements has been apparent for quite some time. When I last visited the school I was impressed by the attitude of the teachers and pupils. The governors and parents have worked hard and diligently to achieve the new buildings and they are to be congratulated.'

As well as being shown an exhibition of the school's history, visitors were treated to a performance of Engine Engine sang by the school choir, guitar solos by Sam Briggs and Fred Cooper, a dance performance by Jessica Hartland and a reading of the poem Please Mrs Bulter by Madison Tulley.

The performances were followed by six members of the school council cutting the ribbon to open the new teaching block which comprises of two classrooms, a drying room for Forest School activities and toilets.

There is also a fenced outside area with an all-weather surface, grassy area, raised beds and sandpit.

Architects NPS Ltd and builders T Gill and Sons have protected many of the original features of the building, which are at a conservation area in Lower Street.