A CHRISTMAS gift of £2.7m has heralded the start of a golden new era for Salisbury's Bishop Wordsworth's School.

The money has been awarded by the Government to enable the boys' grammar school to build a long-awaited sports hall, which will double as a community facility for people living in the Friary and other parts of the city's St Martin's ward.

The hall will be a key part of a phased rebuild of the 111-year-old school, which also includes the provision of seven new classrooms and a drama and art department.

News of government funding for the sports hall broke just before the school's 790 pupils broke up for the Christmas holidays, triggering celebrations that are set to carry on well into the New Year.

Headmaster Clive Barnett was ecstatic at the end-of-term Depart-ment for Education announcement.

"They phoned me to say we were going to get the £2.7m and then confirmed it in writing," he said.

"I still can't believe it. What a wonderful Christmas present and start to the New Year! It's absolutely marvellous."

Plans for the sports hall, which is to be built on the site of the disused outdoor swimming pool at the southern side of the school, were revealed three years ago and it was originally hoped to attract National Lottery funding for the project.

That route proved unsuccessful but the school, together with parents and members of the Old Wordworthians' Association, continued its own fundraising and that has to date netted £150,000.

"The money raised through our own efforts has enabled us do the spadework, paving the way for the sports hall, and now - thanks to the £2.7m - we will be able to build it," said Mr Barnett.