Celebrations have been held in Alston where England's highest market town has welcomed a new era of education for the county.

The Samuel King's School site in Church Road has been redeveloped to house two schools under one roof.

It provides schooling for children aged between three and 16, with the secondary school and Alston Primary School now on the same site.

Alston Primary School has relocated from its former site on Garrigill Road.

It is the first time that any of the county's primary and secondary schools have been brought together in such a way that aims to provide sustainable schooling when pupil numbers are small.

The Samuel King's School complex can cater for over 300 pupils but it is just over half full with the two schools on the same site.

The schools make up two-thirds of the Alston Moor Federation, which is completed by Nenthead Primary.

As a federation, they share resources and expertise for the benefit of local children and families.

Barnardo's also offers services for pre-school youngsters and their parents and carers.

The recently refurbished school site in Church Road was opened by councillor Sue Sanderson, who is the cabinet member of Cumbria County Council responsible for schools and learning.

She was joined by Dan Barton, the recently appointed assistant director for learning and inclusion at the county council.

The pair also took the chance to present pupils with awards in the first Alston Moor Federation annual prize giving ceremony.

Those who left Samuel King's School last summer were welcomed back and congratulated for helping the school gain its best GCSE exam results for many years.

Headteacher Ian Johnson said: "It's great to see these students now doing well at college or sixth form.

"They worked hard for their results and fully deserved their success."

Present to see her own grandchildren receive awards was school governor, Sheila Wyatt, who in 1960 was one of the first children to move to the former primary school site on the Garrigill Road.

Sheila said: "It was sad to speak to the children in their final assembly at my 'old school' a few weeks ago, however, when you see what is now available for them in their new classrooms, you cannot help but be excited; they have a fantastic new learning environment full of opportunity."