THERE was a colourful, carnival atmosphere around the Wren’s Nest estate as children from Wren’s Nest Primary marked the official opening of their new school.

The youngsters from the Foxglove Road school paraded around the streets for an hour in fancy dress costumes, dressed to match their brightly decorated supermarket trolleys, which had been transformed into spectacular floats.

For the last few weeks, the children have been working hard with artist Garry Jones to design and create eyecatching costumes and themed trolleys for the parade.

Residents saw Vikings and Aztec warriors wandering the streets, complete with the Sun God and long ship alongside minibeasts, nursery rhyme characters, Noah’s Ark and little hippies complete with a Beatle’s yellow submarine, as the parade meandered around the estate.

Staff and pupils were marking the official opening of their £6.2 million state-of-the-art eco- friendly school, which boasts all the latest technologies as well as a roof garden, climbing wall, adventure trail and wildlife area.

The school was declared open by guest of honour Margaret Lenton, who led the procession in a horse and carriage.

Mrs Lenton, who cut the ribbon, has worked as a cleaner at the school for 24 years and also runs a flower arranging class for parents.

Following the opening ceremony on the garden roof top, the children enjoyed a carnival fair complete with stilt walkers, jugglers, a unicyclist and firespinner.

Business manager Elaine Pugh said: “The day was absolutely wonderful. The rain held off and the children and trolleys looked fantastic. We all had a great day.”