SCHOOL leaders are celebrating the completion of £250,000 worth of improvements to Swanage First School.

A computer centre, new reception area and classroom have all been built and, at an official launch ceremony held recently, the school's staff thanked all the local supporters who helped raise £10,000 to create a new library.

Planning began three years ago for the development and all apart from the library was funded by Dorset County Council.

Over the years the school library has been based in a resources room, classroom, along a long corridor and next to school toilets.

Head teacher Roger Withey said: "I'm sure there are other places it has been over the years - it's lovely to think this is a permanent place for the library now."

Tiles decorated by children have gone up on one of the library walls alongside a high-tech interactive whiteboard.

Mr Withey said: "I think all the effort will be worthwhile with the children able to enjoy the books and we know the library will develop over the years."

He also said: "We would not have had the library without the support of Kevin Dimarco who ran the London Marathon a year ago, raising £1,000 towards the project.

"We had lots of support from the Tangent club, carnival committee, Lions and individual parents have been really supportive with small but valuable donations which helped enormously.

"The parents association, thanks to a hardworking group of parents, were able to provide £5,000 towards it by holding Christmas and summer fairs and discos. They really went the extra mile for the school and the children thank them very much indeed."

First published: May 16