PUPILS at High Coniscliffe primary school near Darlington have every reason to feel important.

All their names have been carved on to a marble plaque for future generations of students to admire.

The idea to record the names of every child and teacher on the role from January 1, came as part of the school's celebrations to mark the millennium.

Last weekend, at the school's autumn fair, assistant director of education Mr David Staples unveiled the plaque.

But the celebrations did not stop there. Mr Staples also officially opened a much-needed extension to the popular school providing a new ICT suite, classroom and extra toilet facilities.

Head teacher Mr Tom Lumley told the D&S Times the school had three reasons to celebrate.

"The staff had toyed with the idea of putting every child's name on to a brick for the new extension," he said, "but in the end we decided on the marble plaque as a permanent reminder.

"This year's autumn fair was a great success, raising £940 for school funds, and with the new extension we have gone from being rather crowded to having much more space and facilities."

The money will be used to buy two scanners to complement the new computer suite as well as buying new books to bring the school library up to date.