ACTRESS Tricia Penrose officially has opened new stage facilities at Boroughbridge Primary School.

Ms Penrose, who plays Gina Ward in the hit television series, Heartbeat, was guest of honour at the school's primary performance of Robin Hood.

The new stage facilities include a permanent stage, amplification and lighting system.

It was bought with Seed Challenge Funding made available by North Yorkshire County Council and money raised by Friends of Boroughbridge Primary School.

After the performance by year six pupils, Ms Penrose told the audience that she was inspired to become an actress after first performing in a production at her primary school.

Meanwhile, a £200,000 extension which includes two new classrooms with cloakrooms and toilets, has been opened at the school.

Jean Jayne, the school's longest serving teacher, cut the ribbon, helped by Noah Maury, who was the youngest pupil in her nursery class.

They both then planted a flowering cherry tree, sited in the middle of a friendship bench on the infant playground.

The cost of the extension has been met from North Yorkshire's capital development programme.

It is the second phase of new building after another classroom opened just under two years ago.