A HAMPSHIRE school's new sports hall has been hailed as the best in the county.

Hardley School and Sixth Form is celebrating the completion of a £2.3m sports hall that has transformed its site in Long Lane, Holbury.

New Forest East MP Dr Julian Lewis performed the opening ceremony in the presence of head teacher Bob Underwood.

Dr Lewis said: "The school has waited a long time for a sports hall but has been rewarded with one of the finest buildings of its type in the area.

"Some of the facilities are not dissimilar to what you'd expect to find in a very upmarket spa."

The hall has been built at the back of the 1,000-pupil school and overlooks the playing fields. It includes facilities for a range of sports, plus separate changing rooms for teenagers taking part in indoor and outdoor activities. It is described on the school's website as "the best and largest in Hampshire".