The clatter of cutlery has given way to the chatter of children at Radley, near Abingdon.

The old kitchen at the village primary school has been transformed into a reception classroom, giving the school four rooms for its 75 pupils.

Headteacher Radka Benton praised the fundraising committee for raising £11,000 in six months -- nearly half the cost of the £24,000 conversion.

The kitchen, which has been redundant since school dinners started being brought in from outside, was stripped out and a new floor and toilets put in.

Pressure on space has been growing as school numbers increase. Pupils joining the school had been sharing facilities with Years One and Two.

Mrs Benton said: "It is a great boon to us and the children because now we can give improved attention to the demands of the curriculum for our rising fives."

The classroom was officially opened by the Director of Education for the Oxford Diocese, Danny Sullivan.