A £4.5 MILLION project to expand a York school came to fruition as it was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of York.

Councillor Irene Waudby unveiled a foundation stone at Canon Lee School, in Rawcliffe, which has been expanded from a 550-place school to one providing 900 places, as a result of the closure of Queen Anne School in September last year.

Following the official opening, the doors of the school were thrown open to allow the public to inspect the new facilities.

After deciding to close Queen Anne School because of the decline in pupils numbers across York, the city council pledged to invest in Canon Lee School.

The result is a 21st-century complex which the council has ensured gives enough room to take on pupils from Queen Anne School.

Coun Waudby said: "I am very, very pleased and proud that I have been invited to open the new buildings at the school.

"I have been a governor there since 1989 and my children were pupils there.

"I am particularly delighted that the official opening has happened during my year of office."

The £4.5 million building scheme was funded with £3.9 million from the Department of Education and Employment, together with £500,000 from the council.

It was developed in two phases over a period of one-and-a-half years, providing a new 18-classroom teaching block, an all-new IT system and a purpose-built community sports hall.

Kevin Deadman, head teacher at Canon Lee, said he was delighted with the new facilities.

"The new buildings and other improvements are superb," he said. "This is a wonderful facility for the whole community."

Jim Winter, the council's acting director of education and leisure, said: "We are delighted that this project is now complete and that we have been able to fulfil our promise to parents and children at Canon Lee and Queen Anne schools to provide a truly 21st century school, delivering a full curriculum for the times."

Mr Winter praised pupils, parents, staff and governors at Canon Lee for their patience over the last two years.

"I would also like to praise the small team in educational services who have delivered this key project against a formidable timetable."