A MODERN mobile classroom has been installed at a school in Purton to provide extra space for its increasing number of pupils.

St Mary's Church of England School on College Road took delivery of the new classroom a fortnight ago, and the building finally came into use last week.

It has been sited on the school field to avoid taking up valuable playground room.

Pupil numbers at the school have been steadily climbing over the last five years from around 260 pupils to nearly 340 children.

The increase in child numbers meant the school had to undertake a series of drastic short-term measures, including holding some lessons in the main school hall.

Head teacher Barry Knock said: "We were literally bursting at the seams and we needed a new classroom sooner rather than later.

"I cannot believe how many children have come to the school over the past five years.

"I think much of it is down to the expansion of the village, but I also think that there was a lack of confidence in Swindon's education system in the last couple of years.

"Many parents brought their children to Purton because we are so close to the town.

"The children were absolutely intrigued to see how the mobile arrived in pieces but with everything inside, including the white boards, lights and heating all ready to be used."

The whole project cost around £68,000, half of which was paid by the school and the other half by Wiltshire County Council.

Mr Knock added: "I can only see this growth continuing as more houses are bound to be built in the village and that will bring many more children. Eventually we may need a new school building."

In March, 2001, the school received a successful Ofsted report which praised the school's progress following a poor review in 1998.