WORK has started on a much-needed extension to a primary school in the Selby district marking the end of a two-year wait for staff and pupils.

Julie Snead, head teacher of Whitley and Eggborough Community Primary School, said she was delighted diggers had moved in to clear the way for two new classrooms and a children and family centre.

The first spadeful of earth was dug by Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams, who joined school staff, pupils and VIP guests at the school.

Mrs Snead said: “It was very nice to have so many people here. It was a really special event.

“It’s very much needed. We have more children coming in to the school and it was needed because of that.

“The new classrooms will be fully used – I can guarantee that. We are hoping we can put the library in there.”

Funding from the project comes from North Yorkshire County Council, which will also oversee the running of the children’s centre area of the new development once it is completed. Mrs Snead said the school was last extended in the 1960s.

“It’s a very exciting time,” she said. “We have been waiting two years for this. It’s been that long since the architects came to first take pictures.”

Diane Steward, Whitley and Eggborough’s marketing leader, said: “It will be completed in February next year. The children are very excited too.”