CHILDREN waved Union flags for a royal visitor at the official opening of their £4.3m school.

Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, watched youngsters from Bishop Ian Ramsey C of E Primary School, in Medomsley, near Consett, County Durham, performing songs from the musical Oliver!

Youngsters sang Oom-Pah- Pah and Consider Yourself before the royal visitor unveiled a plaque and signed the school’s visitor book.

Headteacher Peter Boyle said: “The Countess of Wessex was friendly and warm and was very interested in hearing what the children had to say.

“She made them feel really comfortable and they clearly enjoyed speaking to her. It’s been a fantastic day.”

During the visit, she toured the new classrooms and chatted with pupils and staff.

The school now has the latest computer technology in every classroom and a specialist art and design room, along with improved drama and PE facilities.

After the unveiling of the plaque, year six pupils Lewis Oxley, ten, and Mirrin Henderson, 11, presented the countess with a carved wooden cross with materials from the school woodland.

Five-year-old reception pupil Lauren Vinton presented her with flowers.

Durham County councillor Watts Stelling, chairman of governors at the school, said: “The countess had a tremendous rapport with the children and they chatted easily with her about the school and their work.

“Today’s event will remain a wonderful memory for the children and the whole village for a long time to come.”

Before her visit to the school, the countess opened a newly-refurbished accommodation block at Finchale Training College, in Durham City.

This project has cost about £650,000 and has been partly funded by charitable trusts and organisations.

The countess also had a tour of the manufacturing plant at AKS Precision Ball factory, in Peterlee, to help celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Plant director Bill Swanwick accompanied the countess on a tour of the factory floor where 400 tonnes of steel balls are manufactured every month for use in bearing products such as engine systems, wheel hubs and car steering columns.

He said: “We are proud of the philosophy and work ethic within the plant and it was an honour to show this to the countess.

“Our employees are highly professional and work extremely hard to maintain our excellence in quality and performance and it will be very rewarding to have this effort recognised by our royal guest.