BUDDING pop stars are now enjoying their very own music academy after a £1.5m performing arts centre opened its doors at a Fareham school.

Brookfield Community School in Sarisbury Green is now home to the state-of-the-art combined drama, dance and music centre.

The move will also be music to the ears of residents.

Plans for the suite were unveiled last summer, two years after neighbours complained to the council over noise.

They were fed-up with hearing the sound of pupils performing rock, jazz and samba music in an old building close to the school fence.

Complaints over the noise made by school bands prompted Fareham Council to serve a notice telling the school to tone down rehearsals.

Deputy head teacher Matthew Leeming explained the main reasons for the investment in the soundproof building were improved facilities for youngsters and residents.

He said: "The old building was very noisy and it was an area of concern. We hope we will be a lot better neighbours now.

"Music and drama at the school really are exceptional, but both have been held back to a certain extent by sub-standard facilities.

"The kids are enjoying it already. The building is in constant use and staff and pupils are coming and going rehearsing this and that throughout the day and well into the evening."

The two-storey centre boasts two large drama studios, three new music rooms and a number of instrumental practice areas.

Its main use is as a daily practice area for the Brook Lane school's forthcoming production of Aladdin. An official opening ceremony for the centre is being planned.

Mike Pengelly, chairman of Sarisbury Residents' Association, said several Dean Close residents whose homes back on to the school signed up when they suffered noise problems.

The Barnes Lane resident added: "It always is a problem when you live right next to a school.

"I would've thought the neighbours would be delighted the school has gone to these efforts. There haven't been any recent complaints and if there had I would know about them."