CHILDREN at a Southampton primary school cheered at the sight of their brand new pre-school facility.

The rain stayed away just long enough at Holy Family Primary School in Millbrook, for school soccer coach Roy Beazley to officially unveil the plaque and open the nursery.

The new building was built from scratch on what used to be a patch of grass, using more than £114,600 contributed by the Outer Shirley Regeneration Board.

Holy Family head teacher Angela Dale said the day marked the fulfilment of a nine-year wish.

"Since I came here I have always dreamed of having a pre-school. The current one is over-subscribed and with this we'll be doubling the numbers we can take," she said.

The nursery, decked out in primary colours and with a butterfly mural, provides places for 24 children under the age of five as well as parenting classes and family activities.

There are even plans to hold after-school clubs in the modern building from September.

Roy Beazley, a member of the Outer Shirley Regeneration board, watched with Holy Family pupils as 20 under-fives filed past him into the newly-opened centre.

He added: "It is a real honour to be asked to open this new facility."