THE first turf was cut on the new £4 million primary school at Cheriton Fitzpaine last week by 10-year-old pupil, Charlotte Ridley Rundle.

Charlotte sat in the cab of a large digger for the turf cutting ceremony and was assisted by local County Councillor Michael Lee and from the construction company, the Director of Interserve Project Services Ltd, Richard Ellis.

Charlotte won the duty by winning the prestigious "Spirit of Devon" award, a Devon County Council initiative for each school in the county.

It was 14 years ago that governors, staff, parents and local councillors began a campaign to replace the 17th century primary school, currently housed in a thatched Devon Long Barn, with no outside facilities apart from a small playground and which backs on to a graveyard!

Now this dream for a modern learning environment is about to come true.

The project, funded through the Devon County Council Construction Framework, will provide fantastic facilities for the children, staff and community of Cheriton Fitzpaine.

Richard Ellis, said: "This ground-breaking ceremony celebrates the positive commitment and determination of everyone who has been involved with the project and signifies the start of the exciting construction phase."

It is hoped that work will be completed on October 22, 2010.

Children have made regular visits to the site to see the changes taking place and are keeping a photographic record.

Head Teacher Wendy Harris said the new school "will give us the grounds we have never had with a wild area, hard play area and a sports court."