A £1 MILLION extension to a village school has been officially unveiled after a year-long building programme.

The Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Reverend David Stancliffe, consecrated the new buildings at Puddletown's St Mary's Middle School before dousing the pupils in holy water at a special assembly.

A new information technology suite, science space and two new classrooms have been added to the school, which can now accommodate 480 pupils.

There are separate food technology and fabric rooms and disabled access.

John McCormack, who has been headteacher at Puddletown for 22 years, said: "We still have to raise about £45,000, so we are holding various activities to raise that - we had a very successful auction of promises that raised £12,000.

"But the rest was funded with a £700,000 grant from the Department for Education and Skills, plus five per cent from the Salisbury Diocese and five per cent from the county council.

"The purpose of the project was to increase our capacity so that we could have four forms in each year instead of three and as part of the expansion we were able to install disabled access, including a lift. And we have been able to enlarge the staff room, reception area and offices."

The Bishop addressed pupils at an assembly to consecrate the extensions before a buffet lunch with governors.