Work to build a new £560,000 hall at a primary school outside Oxford will begin on Monday, November 26.

Marsh Baldon Primary School was badly damaged in February 2005, when 40 firefighters fought a huge blaze.

Earlier this year, Oxfordshire County Council was awarded a plaque at the 2007 Oxford Preservation Trust Awards for the restoration work that followed.

Now, a new school hall will be added - for assembly, physical education, performing arts and school meals - to avoid the need for staff and children to leave the school site to use facilities in the village.

Michael Waine, county council cabinet member for schools, said: "All we have to do is think back to February 2005 to realise how far we've progressed.

"The fire in 2005 was thought to have been accidental - but that was no consolation to the local community.

"The county council is delighted to be able to provide this extra facility in addition to work that has already been done.

"It is the very least we could do for the school and local community in Marsh Baldon."