A WOMAN who was a pupil at Guiseley Primary before the Second World War returned to officially open the school's new building.

Mrs Betty Durkin attended the school in the 1930s and she was a guest of honour for a big day in the primary's history last week.

The school set out to trace its oldest former pupils in order to invite them to the opening ceremony of its new building which will accommodate its expanding numbers after becoming a full primary last year.

Mrs Durkin returned after eight decades to cut the ribbon at the official ceremony. Also at the event were members of the Hill family who can boast three generations who have studied at the school - with the youngest watching on from a pushchair during the ceremony.

The ceremony on Friday saw performances by the school’s choir and Guiseley High School’s soul band. Present-day pupils were fully involved, with every year group sharing their own thoughts on the building work through a mixture of poetry and prose.

The new building will become the home for key stage two pupils, from years 3, 4, 5 and 6 as the school continues to expand after becoming a full primary school.

Maxine Bell, the head teacher of Guiseley Primary, said she was delighted with the finished project.

"These fantastic new facilities are something the children, staff and everyone involved with the school can be truly proud of," she added.

The school was first built as a secondary modern and was later used as an infants school. Its new status as a full primary means it will be taking in increasing numbers of children.

In the run up to the official opening the school set out to find former pupils who could share their memories with today's young pupils at the opening ceremony. It was decided to ask Mrs Durkin to cut the ribbon because of her longstanding association with the school.

Pressure on school places in Guiseley has been felt for some time but suggestions to improve the situation have met with criticism in the past.

Plans to expand Guiseley Infant and Nursery School and St Oswald’s Junior School were initially met with strong opposition when they were put forward three years ago.