A HAMPSHIRE school is adjusting to life in temporary accommodation after opening its doors yesterday for the first time since Christmas.

Staff and pupils at St Bede Primary School, Winchester, had been without a place of education since flooding hit the Gordon Road buildings in December.

A £300,000 temporary site has been erected by Hampshire County Council on playing-fields at Bereweeke Road that could house the school until the summer at least.

Engineers have constructed 12 classrooms, a hall, a kitchen, a staff car park and a play area for the children.

Three buses will transport pupils to the new school, as will two "walking buses" operated by parents.

Headteacher Judy Hamilton said: "So far, it has all gone well. Thanks to the parents who came up to help us move in, everything has worked brilliantly.

"The flooding before Christ-mas was a real shock and a horrible experience."

She added: "The most thankful people this morning were the parents.

"The children are particularly thrilled to see their friends, and they have got straight down to their lessons."

Angela Marsh, of Lower Brook Street, Winchester, has her four-year-old son, Oscar, at St Bede. She said: "It is wonderful to get the children back to school. The whole site here is great and Oscar was very excited to be coming back."

The pupils were also very happy to be back at school.

Patrick Courtney, six, said: "It is brilliant. I was looking forward to coming back and it is nice to see my friends."

Hampshire County Council's education committee chairman, Don Allen, said: "I am extremely pleased and very proud of everyone. They have done a great job.

"I think most parents will feel we have done as good a job or even better than could have been expected in the circumstances."