AN eruption of colour and a celebration of diversity marked the official opening of a school’s multimillion-pound extension.

Children at Montgomery Infants School and Nurseryin Colchester celebrated the completion of the Rainbow Suite, a new multi-coloured £2.8million building, housing four extra classrooms.

It means the school will be able to take an extra 30 children this September, bringing the total intake to 240, with a further 30 being added to that the following September.

A new playground for the reception children has also been created along with a trim trail, tyre swings and cargo nets.

Montgomery Infants School and Nursery teaches children from 15 different cultural backgrounds, many children with parents serving with the Colchester Garrison.

Headteacher Sally Leung said: “I had a vision the opening of the Rainbow Suite would be like the opening of the Olympics, celebrating the cultural diversities within the school.

"The parents took my vision and came up with their ideas. We had banners and flags and we had children dressed in traditional costume and parading while the different national anthems were played.

“We had a Fijian warrior dance, as well as African drumming and a performance by Colchester Military Children’s choir. It was brilliant.”

“I was so proud and emotional.

"Everyone has worked so hard to get it to be perfect.

“The classrooms are wonderful.

They look out on to the field where we have a forest school, an allotment and three sheds, painted in the rainbow colours. It looks stunning.”

For two pages of pictures, see today's gazette.