A BISHOP gave his blessing to a new school when it was officially opened yesterday.

Parents, staff and children at the St Therese of Lisieux RC Primary School, Ingleby Barwick took part in an opening cere-mony officiated by the Bishop of Middlesbrough, the Right Reverend John Crowley.

The 210-place primary school, with a separate nursery, opened on September 7, and was widely welcomed by the community at Ingleby Barwick.

Suzanne Alexander-Sowa, headteacher at the school, said: "The opportunity to lead a new Catholic school community is a dream come true for me.

"It is such an exciting challenge to work with the community in shaping the future of this school in the new millennium.

"St Therese of Lisieux, is a very happy, welcoming place ,and we hope and trust that it will become a shining light in the Diocese of Middlesbrough and Stockton Local Education Authority."

There is also another day of celebration tomorrow, beginning with mass in the school hall, with music and dancing in the afternoon.