THE new �310,000 Pre School building at Exmouth s Bassett s Farm Primary was officially unveiled last week.

THE new �310,000 Pre School building at Exmouth's Bassett's Farm Primary was officially unveiled last week.

The building has been paid for by Devon County Council and from the school's own budget - and replaces the old pre-school building and brings it closer to the Key Stage 1 classrooms.

The new Pre-School, which has 30 places for three to five year olds, was unveiled by Chairman of the Council Cllr John Berry in a ceremony that included local dignitaries, school teachers, and governors.

The new Pre School is officially named after the retiring head teacher, Christine Jones who has been head of Bassett's Farm Primary for 18 years until last week.

The school governors decided to name it the Christine Jones Building in tribute to their long-standing head.

And from next Easter at the latest the Pre School will also have the facilities to cater for older children with before and after school clubs and an extended day school.

Mrs Jones said: "I have always been keen to have a pre-school building nearer the main school to enable us to strengthen our close links.

"It is a very satisfying end to my time here to see the building complete."

Mrs Jones could have retired last year but chose to stay on, and had the satisfaction of seeing the new facility open before her retirement.

She added: "It is a fantastic facility; it's got everything the children will need.

- it has new toilets, new books, computers, and even a covered outside area for children.

"The school put some money into it so it would be bigger than originally planned. We hope the extended hour's day school is open by Christmas, maybe Easter."

Withycombe county councillor Brenda Taylor said: "Christine Jones has worked very hard for the school and this is a fine tribute to her excellent leadership.