THE artist Mackenzie Thorpe officially opened a new art studio at Mowbray School, Bedale.

Designed by architect Robert O'Brien, its internal features incorporate a vaulted ceiling with open wooden beams and large windows giving views across the countryside.

The £85,000 project was largely funded through standards fund grants.

Headteacher Jonathan Tearle said: "The school places great importance on the arts and the quality of work produced by pupils of an extremely high standard. We have had offers from visitors to buy some of our pupils' art work.

"For many years our art teacher, Linda Hall, has encouraged visiting artists to work alongside our pupils.

"It was through this that Mackenzie Thorpe became involved with the school. Ever since then he has made time to visit the school when he has been back in the area."

Mowbray is a special school opened in 1982 by North Yorkshire County Council following a fundamental examination of special education by Baroness Warnock. At the time it was the first of its kind in the country.

It educates children from a wide catchment area aged between three and 16 who have a range of abilities and are challenged to overcome their personal difficulties by staff.

Difficulties addressed include autism and others affecting learning, in both moderate and severe cases, speech and language, emotion and behaviour.