A £27 million school development in Northampton has been officially opened during a ceremony attended by dignitaries, parents and staff.

Hundreds of pupils packed into the new sports hall at the formerly Trinity Upper School - now known as Unity College - in Trinity Avenue.

The Bishop of Peterborough, Rt Rev Ian Cundy, had the honour of formally marking the occasion at the school, which opened last month.

The opening ceremony focused on a new 40-classroom block for English, maths and humanities, the sports hall, a sports science laboratory and a science suite.

A new all-weather outdoor sports pitch is already in use.

Headteacher Sharron Goode told the assembled crowd, which included Northampton South MP Tony Clarke and Mayor Barry Massey: "This is a very special day in the history of the school.

"It is a massive achievement for everyone involved in what has been, at times, a very difficult and challenging experience.

The college is the first new Church of England Secondary School in Northamptonshire since Bishop Stopford School in Kettering was built in the 1970s.

Bishop Ian told the audience: "This is an outstanding project and I wish everybody involved with it lots of luck.

"Learning and education in general is paramount and to be able to have brand new, wonderful facilities in which to learn, is amazing."

Pupils also performed traditional hymns and readings during the proceedings. Community groups will also soon be able to use the new facilities.