A NEW classroom dedicated to the arts has been opened at Lydney C of E Primary School.

 The BBC's rural affairs correspondent Jeremy Cooke – whose mother Audrey was a former teacher at the school – officially cut the ribbon at the Artspace to celebrate the opening.

 Pupils and children from Aylburton School – Mr Cooke's old primary – entertained guests including parents and the mayor of Lydney Councillor Bob Berryman.

 Mr Cooke said: "It's a fantastic space. We are in the centre of town but there are stunning views over our beautiful Forest of Dean."

 The £80,000 building was designed in Scandinavia and will be used to teach a range of arts subjects.