A primary school devastated by a massive blaze is getting a £560,000 new hall.

Staff, parents and pupils were stunned by the fire at Marsh Baldon Primary School in February 2005, which destroyed the oldest part of the school, dating back to 1880.

Forty firefighters battled with the blaze and a major rebuilding programme was needed.

Last month, the renovations were recognised as a major contribution to a conservation area at the Oxford Preservation Trust awards.

Now work on the main building is complete, a new school hall is to be built, with work expected to begin on November 26.

Headteacher Jo Capel Davies said: "I'll be delighted when the work starts. Parents, staff and governors have all been looking forward to this. The new hall will bring excellent facilities including hot school meals, gym and after-school clubs.

"At present, we have to hold our assemblies in classrooms so this will be a massive improve- ment.

"I very much hope that work starts at the end of the month and it would be nice to see the work concluded by Easter.

"Part of the money for the new hall has come from our capital grant - funding has come from various sources."

Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for schools Michael Waine said: "All we have to do is think back to February 2005 to realise how far we have 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."

The hall will allow assemblies, PE classes, performing arts and the serving of school meals to take place on the school site and avoid the need for staff and children to leave the school to use facilities in the village.

The space will also be used for concerts and plays and displays.

Following the fire, pupils were taught at the Global Retreat Centre, in Nuneham Park, before returning to temporary classrooms on the school site.

Businesses donated gifts, and former Oxford United chairman Firoz Kassam offered the school free access to facilities, including a computer suite, and the cinema and swimming pool at the Ozone leisure development.