THE curtain has gone up at a Bury school to reveal a brand new auditorium.

Broad Oak High School's stage facility has been created from an open area in the grounds off Hazel Avenue.

Builders fitted out and roofed the space between existing buildings and it now boasts tiered seating to accommodate 150 people and provides a perfect venue for performances and presentations .

It will be used for assemblies, lessons to whole year groups, and makes use of the latest in video, inter-active whiteboard and sound systems.

Last week the new studio was officially opened with a demonstration of fencing by Robert Kiss, an international fencer who came fourth in the Barcelona Olympics.

A range of other activities have already been planned for the coming weeks. There will be a dance and bingo evening for members of the local community, events for primary schools and a production of Macbeth for Year 9 pupils who are studying Shakespeare for their Standard Attainment Tests.

Head teacher Mr Andrew Mackenzie said: This fabulous new facility is a high quality, multi-purpose area which continues our building improvements to benefit not only the pupils who attend the school but the whole community.

"Broad Oak is a moving and improving school and we are very excited."