A puppet show and birthday meal were part of the landmark celebrations for pupils at a Braintree school.

Lessons were put on hold at Lyons Hall County Primary in Deerleap Way while staff and children marked its first anniversary. The school opened last year with 70 pupils and three teachers.

Now it bustles with 170 youngsters and seven teachers with more children arriving each day.

Headteacher Hilary Mynott said: "The year has flown by and so much has happened.

"The school is based on the new Kings Park Estate so as houses are filled, more children join. We have new children every day. It is chaotic but it is wonderful to see how well they settle in.

"The school has such a good community feel and the children are wonderful."

Lyons Hall is proud of its small school ethos: "The infants and juniors play and work together so children are learning to work with others of all different ages," said Mrs Mynott.

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