HUNDREDS of students and parents lined up to take a first look at their multi-million pound new school.

Pupils at Bolton Parish Church CE School started the new academic year on Wednesday in a state-of-the-art building in Chadwick Street.

The opening ceremony was attended by the town’s mayor, Hilary Fairclough, and the Bishop of Middleton Mark Davies who cut ribbons to bring the building into use.

It followed a march in which parents, staff and children walked from the former university halls building in Radcliffe Road. When they arrived the bishop led hymns before cutting a ribbon to officially open the new school.

In addition to a modern interior, the site also has new outdoor facilities including a play area and a grassy area for children to use.

Cllr Fairclough said: “I think this school is the epitome of the Bolton family and they are very family oriented. I have absolute confidence that the children here will be very happy and will be stretched academically in the best possible way.

“They have really thought of everything, there’s a beautiful outdoor space.

“When I was at school we went into one room and never came out, but these facilities are wonderful for the children.”

Plans for the new building were first drawn up in 2016 when the school won a share of £2bn pot offered by the government.

It followed more than a decade in which governors had struggled to maintain the old school building in Kestor Street to a safe and habitable standard.