A SCHOOL'S £330,000 multi-pronged extension has been opened -- the ninth expansion in 20 years.

Children at Gorsefield Primary School, on Robertson Street, Radcliffe, have new ICT facilities and a junior library. There will also be a new classroom and expansion to five others.

Parents, staff, pupils and governors attended the unveiling of the work by Bury South MP Ivan Lewis on Friday.

Mr Lewis said it was "a fantastic school" with a great reputation for supporting disadvantaged children being matched by the excellent results achieved by its most able pupils.

"As a Government minister, I appreciate the part played by schools such as Gorsefield in driving up standards for all."

Chairman of the governors, Mr Mike Tonge complimented staff and the children on the cheerful way in which they had coped with the disruption caused by the building work.

He added: "The improvements, for which the school has been striving towards for years, have finally been made possible by big increases in government funding for modernising school buildings."