A CHIPPENHAM charity director has rated opening a school classroom on par with a song dedication from a former Spice Girl.

Kandu Arts director Ed Deedigan was picked out for praise at Mel C's sell-out Bristol concert at the Academy on Friday when she dedicated her song If That Were Me to him in front of hundreds of concertgoers.

But Mr Deedigan said he felt as much pride from opening a classroom at a Chippenham primary school on Wednesday night.

Links between the pop star and the Chippenham charity were forged two years ago when Mel C donated £50,000 in royalties from her single If That Were Me to the charity's No Place Home arts project designed to help homeless people express their experiences and opinions to the community through theatre and poetry.

The charity has battled against an on-going funding crisis to reach its sixth year and now has a clutch of celebrities as patrons, including Mel C, Jerome Flynn and Blur frontman Damon Albarn.

Mr Deedigan said the charity, launched six years ago, is geared at using the arts to flag up issues of human suffering and sustainable development.

The 38-year-old said having Mel C recognise him for his charity work was special but opening a new classroom at Frogwell Primary School was 'as good as it gets'.

He said: "I have been name checked by Mel at Wembley as well as Bristol. It is lovely being recognised but being recognised by teachers or a PTA at a school is just as good. I feel honoured and privileged.

"To be acknowledged for endeavouring to better the understanding and education in our community is as good as it gets.

"Mel C has kept in contact with us after the No Place Home project. She is always asking how things are going.

"I am fortunate that some people I know happen to be celebrities but they would not be patrons of the charity if they were not genuinely interested in things we have done. I have not cold-called these people.

"These celebrities are very interested in doing workshops with children in Wiltshire."

One of the charity's most exciting new projects involves former Hardenhuish student Richard Hawkins, who is set to direct a feature film with British actor Ray Winstone in June to highlight issues surrounding prostitution. Filming on Cut Price Flowers is due to begin in June

Tackling problems with drugs, alcohol, homelessness and prostitution are high on the charity's list of priorities. Work on its Wiltshire-based projects has led to offers of work in New York to help people trapped in the city's sex industry.

The charity has been heavily involved with Wiltshire County Council's social services department, taking children in care on trips and helping them get their views across through art. Plans are now in place to take a group of Wiltshire children to North America to look at the plight of native Indians.

Funding remains a problem, but Mr Deedigan said he was committed to carrying on the struggle.

He said: "We face this ongoing battle to get funding. We often have to appeal to local businesses and organisations to get funding.

"I am very passionate about Wiltshire and am determined to carry on."