BURNLEY FC mascot Bertie Bee delighted primary and secondary school students as he joined them in celebrating the launch of £715,000 facilities at Colne Primet Academy.

The VIP guest received a warm welcome at the Dent Street academy’s Sporting Extravaganza. Colne Primet Academy last year secured government funding to transform the sports hall, gym and changing rooms.

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Primet students welcomed youngsters from Pendle Primary Academy, Primet Primary School and Castercliff Primary School to show off the state-of-the-art sports facilities and put them to use.

Year Nine student Kelly Zhou, 13, said: “The new sports hall is great, and has encouraged us all to do better in sport.

“We were really enthusiastic seeing the designs, and watching everything come together – it is something to be proud of.”

Harmony Roberts, 14, said: “We have got so much more equipment now and we are able to take part in more of a variety of sport.”

Pendle Primary Academy’s Arij Dar, 10, said: “It has been really fun visiting Colne Primet Academy, and it has definitely made me want to come here when I am older.”

The Sporting Extravaganza was organised by Colne Primet Academy as part of the school’s healthy ambitions and health and wellbeing drive.

Headteacher Lynne Blomley said: “It has been fantastic seeing all the young people pull together to celebrate the launch of our new sports facilities.

“The facilities are also being opened up to the local community and we are hoping to get some after school classes up and running in the near future, to get parents and children enjoying the facilities alongside each other.”

Pendle Education Trust’s chief executive Anita Ghidotti said: “This is such an exciting time for Colne Primet Academy.

“We are so pleased to see primary pupils at the academy, and welcome Primet students of the future.

“This has proved to be an extremely worthwhile investment, which gives students the facilities they deserve.”