Former tennis ace Tim Henman swapped his racket for scissors yesterday to cut the ribbon at a school's new unit.

The ex-British number one popped in to South Moreton School, in High Street, near Didcot, to officially open the school's early years unit. He then planted the first plum tree outside the building.

Patrick Greene, Oxfordshire County Council's representative for South Moreton, cut the first sod of turf when the £380,000 project began last July.

He welcomed Mr Henman and said: "I'm delighted that South Moreton School has done so well. They have performed magnificently in local fundraising to open this new early years unit."

Mr Henman was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a golf club, which is now his sport of choice since officially retiring from tennis last September.

Lyn Cracknell, foundation stage teacher, said: "It's a beautiful state-of-the-art building and we have a dedicated outdoor area."