AN extension to a rural village primary school means children are no longer having to take lessons in the hall.

The extension to Cotherstone Primary School, in Teesdale, was formally opened yesterday and provides an extra classroom for the small school, which has 83 pupils.

The local community raised more than £15,000 for the Friends of Cotherstone School to help build the extension, which will also provide teachers with a new staffroom and office.

The headteacher, Pat Barker, said she was delighted the extension was now finished as she had first mooted the idea not long after she moved to the school in 1992.

Mrs Barker said: "It's made a big difference.

"We now have space in the school hall and we have lovely extra space for the library."

The chairwoman of the governors, Teresa Wilcox, thanked everybody who had helped raise money towards the building of the extension.

The Friends of the School contributed a total of £15,375 towards the building.

Ms Wilcox also praised the builders, who even had a copy of the children's exam timetable pinned up in their cabin so as to cause the minimum of disruption.

She said: "It's been very challenging and they did a great job."

The community held a number of fundraising events, including a 100 club, a charity auction and a series of coffee mornings.

The extension was opened by Neil Charlton, the deputy director of education at Durham County Council.

He praised the work done by members of the community in raising the money.

He said: "It's a very large amount for a small village.

"I want to thank everyone who has badgered people like me to get the job done."