THIS was the moment the keys to a new state-of-the-art junior school in Winchester were handed over.

Pim Grimes, headmistress of St Swithun's Junior School, received them at a ceremony with pupils, staff, parents, governors and contractors.

The new school building, on the existing Alresford Road campus, will open this September.

It replaces the old buildings and will enable the junior school to increase its numbers to 256 in response to an increased demand for places.

Class sizes will also be smaller in the development, which includes specialist teaching rooms, a science laboratory, an art studio, a media/computing room and a new performing arts space and gym.

Having officially opened the new school's doors for the first time, Mrs Grimes invited everyone to have a tour.

She said: "The handover of the key to our new school is certainly a historic moment. What started as an idea then became a plan, then a design, and now we have this spectacular building. We would like to extend our gratitude and thanks to everyone who has made it possible for the idea to become a reality."

"From September, our teaching and learning facilities and, in particular, the way in which the new building links with the wonderful outdoors environment that we have here will transform the education that we are able to offer our pupils."

The new performing arts space and gym will be completed at the start of 2016.