A PILOT has flown home to open a reading den at his former primary school.
Pupils at St Andrew's Primary School in Bishop Auckland welcomed Nick Walton, who now lives in North Carolina in the US, to their Easter extravaganza show.
Nick, who lived on South Church in Bishop Auckland, as a young boy, saw the school being built in 1972 before he joined two years later.
He left in year six to live in America and he is now an aeroplane pilot with American Airways.
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Nick recently searched the internet for his old school and found their website and learned the children were raising money to stock their library.
He got in touch with headteacher Nicola James and offered to buy some new books for the school.
Mrs James bought some books with his generous donation, about being an air pilot, planes and airports to put them in the "Aspirations" section of their school library.
The hope is they will inspire the children to have dreams of being a successful air pilot and see the world, just as Nick did when he lived in Bishop Auckland.
On Friday April 8, Nick and his wife Amanda, visited the school and met the children, enjoyed their Easter celebration.
He was a guest of honour at the official opening of the school's new Reading Den, a space where children can read and enjoy books during their playtimes and lunchtimes.
Nick said: "This is an amazing space, I wish I had had something like this when I was a boy."
His wife added: “This is where you would have found me at recess."
Mrs James said she was delighted to welcome the couple to the school and hear the memories Nick had of being at St Andrew's Primary School nearly half a century ago, when it was known as Henknowle Primary School, especially as they will be celebrating the 50th anniversary in November.
Mrs James said: “It was wonderful to meet Nick and show him around the school and for him to meet the children and staff.
“The children were so proud to show off their school and tell Nick about all the things they love about St Andrew's."
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