A PRIMARY school's new look has been given the thumbs up by its pupils.

Children from Finchale Primary School, in Newton Hall, Durham City, put on their hard hats for a VIP tour of the £1.5m building that will re-open in time for the new academic year in September.

The eight-month modernisation started last December and has seen an extension to the building as well as a complete revamp of the interior of the school on Canterbury Road.

The extension includes a reception area, seven classrooms, a purpose-built hall, a dedicated area for a before and after-school club and staff facilities.

The work was funded through Durham County Council and, when complete, the school will have the capacity for up to 210 pupils aged between four and 11.

Headteacher Sandra Whitton, said: "We're very excited about the progress being made on our new surroundings, which will create a fantastic sense of space and light with the flexibility for further development to meet the educational demands of the future."

The work was also met with enthusiasm from the pupils. Joe Hopgood said: "I'm looking forward to having a new school building because we're going to have lots more space, bigger classrooms and it's going to be fun because we'll all be in the same brand new building together."