MALMESBURY School was officially opened by explorer David Hempleman-Adams on Friday.

The school moved into its new £12.5million building at Corn Gastons last Easter after an Ofsted inspection in 1997 criticised the school's split location at Corn Gastons and Filands.

At the ceremony, in the school hall, headteacher Malcolm Trobe thanked those who had been involved in working so hard to give Malmesbury its new school.

He said: "There are many people who have made a contribution to the excellent facilities we now have in this new building and have also made the move into the new school possible."

The school was built as part of a £38million finance deal between Wiltshire County Council and the White Horse Education Partnership.

Along with schools in Wootton Bassett and Chippenham, it was the biggest PFI education project to have taken place in Britain.

Mr David Hempleman-Adams, 46, of Box, unveiled the plaque marking the opening.

The explorer has just returned from his latest exploration to the geomagnetic North Pole last month.

Pupils listened intently as he drew on his experiences of triumph over adversity to give them some helpful hints.

He said afterwards: "The facilities at the school are fantastic and the children are very privileged to have this and I hope they have great years at the school."