Work is now under way on a £1.5m classroom block which will create 100 more places at a Norfolk primary school.

Astley Primary School, at Briston, has been over-subscribed for four years.

Now Norfolk County Council is funding the new build, which will create five new classrooms and enable the school to grow from 205 to 315 pupils.

Today Astley’s youngest and oldest pupils donned hi-vis jackets and hard hats, and joined headteacher Helen Pegg to perform the turf cutting ceremony on the site.

“This is a big day for Astley Primary School and the local community,” said Mrs Pegg, who has been head at Astley for six years.

“It will provide purpose-built facilities for early years and Key Stage 1 children.”

The new block, which will be situated behind the current school, is expected to be ready for its first pupils in September 2017.

By then mobile classrooms which are currently used as teaching accommodation around the school’s 100-year-old main buildings will have been removed.

Gill Building, the contractors constructing the block, are keen for the children to follow the progress of their work.

Youngsters will be given tours of the site as the build progresses over the coming months.