WIDE-EYED pupils trooped in for lessons at their new £7million state-of-the-art school opened.

The new Orchards school development opened after the Christmas break yesterday, bringing pupils from Farnworth's Cherry Tree Primary School and Green Fold Special School under one roof.

The Highfield Road school houses a hydrotherapy pool, library, interactive whiteboards, a sensory studio, a dedicated IT suite and external classroom for "living science" and food technology room.

Mark Williams and Sandra Kelly, acting headteachers of Cherry Tree, said: "The Orchards is a really exciting opportunity for children to learn in a brand new school with state-of-the-art facilities that caters fully for the needs of children for special and mainstream schools."

The new building is on the former site of Cherry Tree's school field, while the school's old building will be demolished to create a recreational area.

The Orchards will cater for all children from both schools and while pupils will be taught separately it is hoped they will integrate in the playground and common areas, such as the library.

Headteacher of Green Fold, Jane Grecic, said: "The old buildings weren't suitable for our pupils, they were in a bad state of repair. They were great buildings but they weren't working for us anymore.

"This is also a real opportunity to bring children together where it's appropriate. It's educating whole generations of children in terms of tolerance and understanding and it's a fabulous opportunity for enhancing learning opportunities for all pupils."

Youngsters at the two schools were also delighted with the new building.

Jack Marsden, aged 10, a pupil from Cherry Tree, said: "It's fantastic and is giving the pupils from Green Fold and Cherry Tree to mix together and become friends with each other."

Ten-year-old Holly Thompson, who attends Green Fold, added: "I really like my new school. I love the library because it's so full of books."

Cherry Tree pupil Harry Marsden, aged seven, said: "It's really great. I really like the little kitchens in the classrooms."