MAASAI tribesman Erick Ole Kasana flew all the way from Kenya to officially open Sherston School on Tuesday.

Resplendent in full traditional costume, Mr Kasana unveiled a plaque in honour of the new school, as part of a day of celebrations.

The school moved to their new £1.2 million, six-classroom site, on Knockdown Road, in February last year. Previously, they had been situated on the High Street.

Since then, they have been putting the finishing touches on the building, as well as their extensive sports grounds, and now feel it is in perfect condition.

School governor Richard Langley said: "February last year was the first opportunity we had to get the children in and it's only just become home.

"We've got everything in place now and it feels like home to the school and the staff.

"It's great, and the whole day went very well."

As well as performing the opening ceremony, Mr Kasana joined children in a drum workshop during the morning, ahead of a recital to parents in the afternoon.

Mr Kasana is a community development officer for his local Koija and Loisaba communities in Kenya, where he has been involved with building a new school.

Sherston has close links with the school in Loisaba and Mr Kasana visited the former school a few years ago.

The celebrations were topped off with a family barbecue.

Children from the school put on a folk dancing display and the Dodington Parish Brass Band also performed.

Funds raised from the evening will be sent back to the communities Mr Kasana works in.

Mr Langley said Mr Kasana had thoroughly enjoyed his time at Sherston and all the children had loved the opportunity to speak and play drums with him.

"He had never opened a school before.

"So it was a milestone for him," said Mr Langley.

The official opening comes shortly after Sherston celebrated its first birthday, at the beginning of March, with the help of the Bishop of Swindon.

The Rt Rev Dr Lee Rayfield cut a birthday cake, presented sports prizes and planted trees.

It was originally hoped the school would be opened earlier.

However, a last minute planning hitch, which Wiltshire County Council blamed on unresolved road safety issues and tree planting, meant the date had to be put back.