RUGBY star Rob Andrew returned to his old school to celebrate a different kind of conversion.

He opened a multi-purpose hall, canteen and classroom at Barton Primary School, between Richmond and Darlington - where he was a pupil more than three decades ago.

And the former England player, who is now director of rugby with Newcastle Falcons, told a packed audience: "This brings back some fond memories - most, I must admit, from the playground and playing fields. I used to spend a lot of time kicking a ball and the doors used to take quite a hammering.

"It's a fantastic school and it is great to see it growing and serving the community as it always has. It certainly set me up well for life and allowed me to go on to do all sorts of wonderful things."

The building work was designed to bring a school originally built in 1860 into the 21st Century, replacing a wartime concrete hut with a hall, kitchen facilities and classroom at a cost of £350,000. The bulk of the money was provided by North Yorkshire County Council's Education Service, with additional funds coming through a Buy-a-Brick fundraising campaign.

Headteacher Liz Trewhitt told governors, parents, children and education officials: "This new extension brings the school right up to date.

"It is four years since the plans were first hatched and they have finally been achieved.

"It is down to the hard work of a number of people, including the governing body who had the vision and the tenacity to achieve their vision."