A NEW £2.35m sports hall was opened at a Kenton school by Dame Kelly Holmes yesterday (Tuesday, January 29).

Dame Kelly gave a ten minute speach to children at Claremont High School, before touring the new hall and unveiling a plaque.

Paul McCann, assistant headteacher at the school in Claremont Avenue, said: "She was brilliant. She was talking about determination and achieving one's goals and encouraging people to make the most of life.

"The pupils loved it. One of the boys just said it was fantastic."

The former Olympic long distance runner had her name engraved on a school trophy, which will now be known as the Dame Kelly Holmes Cup.

She was presented with flowers, and members of the board of governors thanked her for attending, before guests were shown a video about how the hall was built.

The project was started in October 2006 and the hall contains four badminton courts, as well as a large room, which will also be used by the drama and music departments.

The project will also free up an existing gym for use by teachers of other subjects.

Dr Rose Heagan, deputy headteacher at the school, said: "I think it's really going to raise the profile of sports at the school, we have a very strong sporting tradition."

Among the other guests was Kevin Murphy, a swimmer and former pupil, who has swum the English Channel more times than anyone else in history.

Councillor Harshadbhai Patel, the Mayor of Brent, was also at the ceremony.