Staff and pupils at an Alfriston primary school were today celebrating the official opening of a new classroom after a ten-year wait.

Until now, all 84 pupils at Alfriston Primary School have squeezed into three classrooms.

This morning the new room was opened by former Chancellor of the Exchequer and Alfriston resident Lord Healey.

Angie Bowles, chairman of the school governors, said: "We have been very over-subscribed in the past few years.

"We serve a large area, not just Alfriston but the surrounding villages.

"Year on year it has been getting more and more stressful. We have just been outgrowing the place."

The school obtained money to build the classroom from the Department of Education and Skills.

Headteacher Ali O'Neill said: "It's a really exciting step forward for the school and for the children."

Mrs Bowles said: "The teachers have done a fantastic job and we just want to make their lives a bit easier.

"We are a tiny school which is why we are so popular. All the teachers know the children's families.

"It was a fantastic experience for my own children."

The school was open to parents throughout the day for a display of the children's work and a governors' report to parents was to take place this evening.