It was a perfect spring day to enjoy being in the great outdoors - and a perfect day for excited children to enjoy their brand new outdoor classroom and garden.

There was a loud countdown from five to one and a huge cheer as five-year-olds Maisie Gardiner and Molly Joyner cut the ribbon to officially unveil the octagonal wooden structure at Toftwood Infant School.

It will be used by all 285 pupils to give them a chance to learn outside.

About �27,000 has been spent on the outdoor classroom and plant beds and a garden area, which will allow the children to have a quiet area for reading and doing activities and spending time with their friends.

It is also part of the process of obtaining forest school status.

Headteacher Joanna Pedlow said: 'One of the children said: 'It's the best day ever!' It is all part of our efforts to promote outdoor learning and every class will use the classroom each week.

'Some children will achieve more outdoor and this opens up learning to more children in different ways.'

Maisie said: 'I like it when we come out to the classroom and we get fresh air,'

Bethany Barrett, seven, enthused about the new garden.

'It is peaceful place to have a little chat with my friends and it is lovely when it is sunny.'

The opening came on a busy day for the school, which also included a concert by Tony Parkinson, who played drums for six years with the London Palladium Orchestra, and for the Royal Command Performance.