NEW classrooms which rose from the ashes of a serious fire at Maidstone's Bower Grove School last year have been officially opened.

The building project was already planned before the blaze wiped out a teaching area at the Fant Lane school in June 2001 but it greatly accelerated its arrival.

Head teacher Trevor Phipps said: "To have the children working in the proper environment is a delight. They should have been there years ago but now, at last, we're in and we're thrilled."

The purpose-built block, which includes six classrooms, a therapy room, an office and toilets, is based around an oast house design and cost about £500,000.

The money was raised through contributions from Kent County Council, forward-planning by the school governors and the fund-raising efforts of the Parents, Friends and Teachers Association, which brought in about £70,000.

The official opening was performed by Dorothy Hayley, head teacher between 1979 and 1986, and attended by Maidstone's deputy Mayor, Cllr Morel D'Souza and his wife, Karin. Pipe Major Tony Daniel, of the Rochester Pipe Band, provided music and a splash of colour.