A famous composer is to return to his south Essex school to officially open a new performing arts centre.

Mark-Anthony Turnage is to lead the ceremony at Hassenbrook School, in Hassenbrook Road, Stanford-le-Hope on Friday, November 30.

Headteacher Dr Geoffrey Casey said: "Mark-Anthony Turnage displayed his musical abilities while at Hassenbrook School during the 1970s and he developed his talents in the years following.

"He is now one of the world's leading classical composers and has achieved widespread international stature with recognition in concert halls and the opera houses throughout the world."

The new £200,000 centre at the school offers students a purpose-built drama studio, dance studio with sprung floors and a suite of music rooms, including practice areas.

The facilities will also be available for Thurrock Music School and other community groups to use.

Dr Casey said: "The key thing they do is provide this generation of students with the opportunities to do what Mark-Anthony Turnage has done and that is to develop and use their talents to carve a successful career for themselves and bring pleasure to others through the performing arts.

"There is no doubt Mark-Anthony Turnage has excelled in his chosen career and we are delighted to be welcoming him back to his former school to officially open the new performing arts centre."

Mr Turnage won the Guinness Composition Prize in 1981 for his orchestral piece Night Dances before going on to scoop the Mendelssohn prize which enabled him to work with a number of international composers.

In 1988, Greek, a two-act stage work based on Steven Burkoff's play, established his reputation as an artist who forged his own path with a blend of jazz and classical styles.

His second full-length opera, the Silver Tassie, hit the English National Opera in February last year and went on to win both the South Bank Show and the Oliver Awards for Opera this year.

Published Wednesday November 28, 2001