WORLD triple jump champion Jonathan Edwards opened a school's £1m sports centre - nearly two years after its original facilities were destroyed.

The Olympic gold medal winner, who has just stepped down from his 15-year career, arrived at The Hermitage School, in Chester-le-Street, yesterday to open the Gill Dobson Sports Centre, named after the school's life-long learning co-ordinator.

This summer, Ms Dobson represented England in an international heptathlon for over-35s in Puerto Rico.

Since the school's original building was burned down in an arson attack, in November 2001, sports lessons have had to be held on the playing field, or in the school hall, and temporary changing rooms had to be created.

As well as destroying the hall, changing rooms and sports equipment, student records and A-level coursework were also lost in the fire.

Now, along with a new building, the school has had all its sports equipment replaced.

Headteacher Ian Robertson said: "After the trauma, frustration and difficulties we have faced since the fire, we can now look forward to the start of a new era of sporting excellence at The Hermitage. And who better to set us on our way, than one of the greatest athletes in the world?"