WINNIE the Witch and her creator dived under the sea to open a new primary school library.

Millbrook Primary School headteacher Jane Ratcliffe donned her witch costume in honour of Winnie illustrator Korky Paul, who opened the school's £6,000 new library.

It was designed by pupils at the Grove school to have a "sunken shipwreck" theme and was decorated by local artist Pam Stokell with the children's help.

After a six-month refurbishment, pupils proudly showed guests around their new room at its grand opening on Friday.

Alice Mair, 11, said: "The mural is really cool because it covers all of the wall."

Year six Jamie Aston said: "Seeing all of the school urging Korky Paul to cut the ribbon was a fantastic sight.

"It's hard to think that the library was once a dull ICT suite and classroom.

"I really enjoyed watching the library transform into the vibrant and colourful learning space it now is."

Wantage MP and culture minister Ed Vaizey also attended the opening and gave a speech about the importance of libraries for inspiring pupils to get the reading habit.

Mr Paul, who travelled from him home in North Oxford, gave some lively art workshops and story performances while Mrs Ratcliffe read stories to younger pupils.

She said the opening of the library was a fitting end to a day full of celebration and enjoyment.

She added: "The opening of the library is such an important step on our journey in inspiring children to read.

"We are committed to encouraging children to read for pleasure and our welcoming library, in which the children have played such a big part, will really support this."

The new library was made possible by the support of Friends of Millbrook (FROM) who raised more than £6,000 and helped to sort and label more than 3,000 books.

Mrs Ratcliffe added: "I can't say how grateful we are to FROM and to all the parents who support them.

"They work tirelessly to raise money through a range of wonderful events, and this is the result – opportunities and experiences for the children that enrich their school life."