New hall's opening is celebrated by pupils A VILLAGE school in the New Forest now has its own hall for the first time in its 151-year history.

Pupils at South Baddesley Primary School, near Lymington, no longer have to cross the road to the old village hall for assembly, lunch and PE lessons.

The new hall has been built behind the main school building and was opened by Ken Thornber, leader of Hampshire County Council.

Cllr Thornber said the scheme meant pupils now had access to the very best facilities.

He added: "The small number of schools in Hampshire without their own hall are a priority for the county council and the local community will benefit too as the new hall will be available for community use."

The building includes a kitchen, toilets, a storage facility and a caretaker's room.

A school spokesman said: "The new building will make a tremendous difference. Up until now we've had to cross the road to the old village hall for assembly, lunch and PE lessons.

"Catering staff preparing school dinners had to work in a tiny, old-fashioned kitchen."

The new hall, part of a £975,000 improvement scheme at the school, was blessed by the Bishop of Southampton, the Right Rev Paul Butler.

Children celebrated the opening of the facility by releasing 130 red balloons.