A £1.6m extension at a school has been officially opened.

The new building at Langho and Billington St. Leonard’s Church of England Primary School, in Langho, includes two additional classrooms, a studio, a group room, and cloakroom and toilet facilities.

More car parking spaces have also been provided.

The school, on Whalley Road, needed to expand to be able to meet increased demand for places now and in the future.

The expansion means that the number of pupils who are admitted to reception every year will increase from 40 to 45,

County council chiefs said this will provide the additional places needed due to a rising birth rate and significant housing development in the area.

They said that to cope with this increase in numbers, the school has also been expanded to accept five extra pupils each year, starting with the reception school year.

The expansion means that the number of pupils who will be admitted has increased from 280 to 315.

Cllr Anne Cheetham, who opened the new building, said: "I've just seen for myself the fantastic new facilities that have been created for the pupils at this school.

"The school has been over-subscribed for a number of years now, so it is a great pleasure to be at the opening of the extension that will increase its capacity and allow many more children to enjoy their education here.

"We are constantly reviewing changing demographic factors to make sure the number and location of the school places we provide are adequate throughout Lancashire.

"The good news is that more children will be able to enjoy learning in a more modern environment."

The opening was also attended by county councillor Susie Charles, the county council's former cabinet member for children, young people and schools.

Kathryn Pym, headteacher at Langho and Billington St. Leonard's Church of England Primary School, said: "The new building will make such a huge difference to what we can offer to pupils, parents, and the community at our school.

"It was great to be able to celebrate the new school building at the official opening, and importantly it gave people the opportunity to see our fantastic new facilities for themselves."

The school was rated as Outstanding by Ofsted at its last inspection.

The £1.6m extension was developed, designed, and managed in-house by the county council.