RISING young music stars won high praise from celebrity astronomer and composer Patrick Moore when he visited their Chandler's Ford school.

The host of BBC's Sky at Night programme dropped in on the Merdon Avenue Junior pupils to give his blessing to a new arts pavilion.

After declaring the £40,000 facility open, Dr Moore announced he would compose a special musical "march" to mark the occasion.

"There is a really good atmosphere here and I have been very impressed," he said.

"Music is very important part of life and I am pleased to see so many young people taking an interest in playing an instrument."

Earlier Dr Moore, well known for his skills on the xylophone, impressed pupils when he gave them an impromptu rendition.

Head teacher Duncan Sergeant said: "The children thoroughly enjoyed his visit and gave him a big round of applause when he finished playing. He talked to the children at their own level and didn't stand on ceremony at all."

The new pavilion has been specifically designed for music and drama activities. It was funded by the school with help from the parents' association which provided furnishings and musical equipment.

And to mark the occasion each child was given a specially iced bun decorated with a musical note.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.