CHEERS erupted throughout a Witney primary school as their new library revved its way through the playground.

Excited pupils and teachers at Tower Hill Primary School gathered outside last week eagerly awaiting their new facility - installed inside a converted double decker bus.

Chairman of governors at Tower Hill, and bus driver, Andrew Coles said he was thrilled with the facility, donated by Stagecoach. He drove it into the playground himself, beeping the horn to the delight of pupils.

Mr Coles said: "We're thrilled and relieved. It's brilliant.

"Children had been asking if they could go inside when it arrived."

Pupils have been without a proper library since September, after the school needed extra room to provide more nursery places for two-year-olds.

But, after the Easter holidays, when all the books have been stacked into their new shelves, they will once again have a permanent place in which to sit and read.

Six-year-old Lucy Dale said she could not wait to have her first peek in the library. She said: "I'm excited. I want to go upstairs first. My favourite books are stories about animals."

Witney operations manager at Stagecoach, Trevor Bayliss said: "Buses come to the end of their natural lives. They work harder than cars, going out every single day. It's lovely to put it one to use for the children here."

The bus has been converted by The Bus Business, based at High Cogges, and has shelving, comfortable seating, lighting and heating, to make sure it can be used all year round.

Headteacher Tracey Smith gave the good news to the children on World Book Day earlier this month.

Business development manager at Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, Karen Coventry said: "We were delighted to have been able to donate the bus to Tower Hill School.

"Having this unique space as a library is going to be quite exciting for the children."