OLYMPIC legend Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards agreed to officially open a Forest school after receiving 30 letters from pupils.

Eddie, whose self-funded attempt for glory at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, said he was hugely impressed by the new St White’s Primary School in Cinderford.

Unveiling a plaque, he said: “I received about 30 letters from the children saying: ‘please will you come and open our new school?’

“How could I possibly refuse?

“This is a beautiful, beautiful school and I hope everybody enjoys it.”

Headteacher Teresa Cross said they were “so lucky” to have Eddie to officially open the new school which replaced the former Victorian buildings in March this year.

She said: “His aspirational dream as a young boy to take part in the most revered sporting event, the Olympics, symbolises our school vision.

“The Olympic motto epitomises our ambition for our children: challenge, commit, conquer and celebrate is our motto and that is borne out of our journey not only from old build to new but also special measures to good.

“Today is an opportunity for us to marvel at the sheer joy this incredible building is bringing to everyone.

“It is also a chance to say thank you to the many people who have made this immense project possible.”

A plaque was also unveiled by local businessman Steve Grindle – who has two children at the school – whose family provided the ground on which the £6 million school was built by Gloucestershire County Council.

He said: “This school has been a dream for over 20 years and looked like it was not going to happen a few times but now it is, the dream has become a reality and I reckon the reality is better than the dream.

“It’s a top school with top teachers.”

•See this week’s Review for more photographs.