CHORISTERS sang for the first time in the new buildings that will form the new Manchester Mesivta High School in Prestwich.

Formerly Manchester Jewish Grammar School, a new state-of-the-art school for boys is being built on the original site in Charlton Avenue, off Bury New Road.

Students and staff crammed into the partially-complete synagogue and canteen block for the official foundation stone laying ceremony.

The school choir sang for the guests and, conducted by Cantor Martin Radnon, they set the mood with a beautiful rendition of the psalm of dedication and the traditional blessing on new articles.

The newly appointed chairman of governors, Mr Irvin Shapiro, paid tribute to the leadership of the schools dean, Rabbi Lippa Rabinowitz, who has led the school for 44 years, assisted for the last 28 years by headmaster Phaivish Pink.

He also thanked MP Ivan Lewis for his tireless efforts on behalf of the school and the director of Bury local education authority, Mr Harold Williams for his advice and support.

The school is now part of the Bury family of schools as a voluntary aided establishment.

Mr Lewis also took to the stand to speak of his excitement about the project and in a humorous aside forgave Mr Pink for his weekly, if not twice weekly telephone calls.

Mr Lewis said he looked forward with anticipation to the school moving to the completed campus in September and was sure the state-of-the-art facilities would allow it to increase its achievements.

The ceremony concluded with the foundation stone being laid by the dignitaries.