A SCHOOL hopes to become the heart of a community after unveiling a £3m refurbishment.

King James First Community College, Bishop Auckland, has been given a new lease of life with a multi-million pound investment that should improve life for students, staff, disabled pupils and the community.

The school has new information technology facilities, links between school blocks, upgraded accommodation for specialist subjects and a resource base for children with disabilities.

Three days before Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster unveiled the work, it looked as though floods would scupper celebrations, as the school was on stand-by as an evacuation centre for South Church residents, but the river receded.

School governor Carol Steadman said: "The big thing is the school is all on one site now.

"We now have a new building with better surroundings. It makes a lot of difference for pupils and staff."

Headteacher Ed Lott said he was already looking ahead to see what else the school could achieve. His next plans were to try to build a leisure centre and sports hall on the site.

"This is truly excellent for the school, but we want more. I want this school and college as the centre of the local community," said Mr Lott.