Church bells pealed out in Stokeinteignhead to mark the opening of the completely refurbished and extended primary school in its 175th anniversary year.

The skies above the village filled with 175 blue and yellow balloons to mark the school's 175th anniversary and to celebrate the ending of years coping with cramped conditions.

For the past year pupils and staff have been camped out in Combeinteignhead village hall, while the £800,000 rebuilding scheme went ahead. The Victorian exteriors have been retained, but there are now three new classrooms to the rear, complete with environmentally friendly sedum roofs.

Old-fashioned blackboards have been discarded, and the 76 pupils will be aided in their learning by interactive 'whiteboards', which children can use with a special pen.

Other new features include a small hall/gym, an IT resource centre, a staff room, two offices and new toilets. There is even a brand-new minibus, part-funded by the parents' association.

Parent Sarah Woodward, whose daughter Olivia is a year five pupil, said that she was thrilled with the changes.

'It's so light and airy and Olivia loves it,' she said.

Unveiling a plaque in the hall crowded with children, staff, parents and guests, Cllr Lt Col Anthony Drake, chairman of Devon County Council, said that it was always a pleasure to open school buildings 'but Stokeinteignhead is special because it is one of the oldest school's in the county.

'What you have now is virtually a new school with all the facilities a modern school ought to have'.

Simon Scott-Smith, chairman of governors, paid tribute to all those who had helped to make a 15-year campaign come true but he singled out headteacher Bob Cross for special praise.

'His foresight, drive, passion and downright doggedness has been above and beyond the call of duty,' he said. 'When he joined us 10 years ago, he had a full head of hair and weighed 17 stone. It has been a huge part of his life.'

Mr Cross said that the new school was 'exciting, dynamic and relevant', and he promised that more facilities were being planned.

He added: 'I also want to pay tribute to the hard work and support of Simon Scott-Smith, who has been a tireless supporter of this project. I know that he is delighted with the outcome.

'Similarly, without the support of the people of Combeinteignhead, who gave up their village hall for a year, we could not have remained functioning efficiently and effectively as a school.

'The hall committee in particular

has been supportive and very accommodating.'