The memory of a man who placed a high value on education lives on in his village primary school.

Penny Hodgson, widow of former county councillor Brian Hodgson, officially opened a new classroom at Stonesfield, accompanied by their sons Danny and Steve.

The school raised £30,000 for the classroom, which has been named the Brian Hodgson Education Suite, and allows all seven year groups to have their own classroom.

Mr Hodgson, who died last year aged 68, was a former leader of the Labour group on Oxfordshire County Council, serving Charlbury and the surrounding villages.

Born in Blackheath, London, he went to Durham University, where he graduated in politics and economics.

He settled in Stonesfield in 1966 after gaining a teaching diploma, becoming a lecturer at Oxford College of Further Education until his retirement in 1999.

Teacher Gwyn Griffiths, who came to the school eight years ago, said: “I knew him for many years, he was just a great guy, who was involved in so many things.

“In my time here the school has grown from having 95 children to 161.

“We really needed the extra space so we could have smaller class sizes and to have classrooms for single year groups.

“Brian was enormously committed to the school and we are delighted to be able to remember him in this way.”

Mrs Hodgson, who still lives in the village, also unveiled a plaque in her husband’s memory.