The new Bishop of Bradford was greeted with rapturous applause as he blessed a 130-year-old Ilkley school's new home.

The Right Reverend David James joined parents and past and present staff, governors and pupils to officially open All Saints' Primary School's new site last Friday.

Before blessing the school's new Easby Drive site, Bishop David was cheered on by hundreds of excited children lined up in the playground.

And he was accompanied by two special helpers - four-year-old Amber Bradley and 81-year-old former pupil Geoff Waugh, who teamed up to cut the huge red ceremonial ribbon.

Dressed in full regalia with mitre and crook, Bishop David then led a prayer of thanks for the new school and everyone who worked and studied in it.

He said: "We pray now that You will bless this building, that it may be a place where your spirit rests."

The blessing was met with a mass 'Amen' and then deafening applause. Head teacher Peter Marsh then called for 'three cheers for All Saints' School!' - a request enthusiastically ans-wered by the pupils.

Opened in 1872 by the then Bishop of Bradford and split between several sites in Leeds Road, the school had been pushing for a new, modernised base for decades.

But it wasn't until the Bradford District Schools reorganisation programme began that All Saint'' gained the impetus to forge ahead and create a purpose-built building for all its pupils and staff.

In the foreword to the photographic souvenir the school produced to commemorate its 130th anniversary, Head teacher Peter Marsh stressed its strong links with the church.

He wrote: "The church continues to play an integral part of our school and its running. It is quite fitting, therefore, that the new Bishop of Bradford will be making the opening of the new school his first official duty in January, 2003.

"Although fond memories of our split site will abide for generations, our new buildings offer the perfect setting to an education system designed for the 21st century.

"Our unique ethos will continue to shine brightly in our new surroundings as it did for more than a century in Leeds Road."

Speaking at Friday's ceremony, Mr Marsh added: "It was tremendous to have Bishop David here, and particularly important to us because the Bishop of Bradford opened the original school in Leeds Road, so it is almost like history repeating itself.

"We were really delighted to have him come to bless the opening because the school still enjoys strong links with the church. And it was his first official duty in the diocese, so it was quite an honour.

"We hope the school can have as much success here as it did in its first site, and there's absolutely no reason why it can't. We are into our first full term here now and we're getting used to it bit by bit, and ironing out any teething troubles.

"We had people here on Friday from families who have had three or even four generations of children who have come to the school, like Geoff Waugh, who is the oldest former pupil we could track down!

"And Amber is our youngest pupil, so it was nice for them both to cut the ribbon."

Chairman of governors Kathy Allen, whose three children all attended All Saints', said the day had been a 'momentous occasion' for both the school and Ilkley.

She said: "I feel privileged to be involved with the school at such an exciting time. Over the years many have looked forward to this, only to be disappointed. Now we can look to a secure future and continue to provide the high standard of education that we managed to achieve despite the inadequacies of our old buildings.

"We are delighted to be in our new school at long, long last. It is fantastic to have everyone under one roof and to have the facilities that are appropriate for the education of our children in the 21st Century."

One parent watching Bishop David talk and joke with the children said: "There are a lot of very proud people here today. We've been waiting a long time for this!"

lA special commemorative service for the old All Saints' building will be held at All Saints' Parish Church at 7pm on March 6.

Anyone who has been connected with the school is invited to take part in the hour long thanksgiving ceremony.