The bell rang out for a new primary school in Pembrokeshire on Monday.

Pupils at Cleddau Reach VC primary have started the summer term in a brand new school building.

The £4.5 million building follows the merger of Llangwm and Burton primary schools and replaces the two former school buildings.

It will cater for 220 pupils aged three to 11.

"This exciting new building marks a new chapter in the history of education in the area," said Clr. Ken Rowlands, cabinet member for education and Welsh language.

"It will provide a first class learning environment for our children, which will help them reach their full potential."

Funded by Pembrokeshire County Council and the Welsh Government, work on the new school building began in December 2011 and was completed on schedule.

Headteacher Nick Groves said he was delighted with the new building and its education and sporting facilities.

"It's absolutely fantastic," he said. "It's very well equipped and extremely well suited for the learning needs of the 21st Century.

"There was a lot of very excited children and their parents here this morning. We were also rung up by the new County Councillor for Burton, Rob Summons, to wish us well."

Designed in-house by Pembrokeshire County Council, the new school is located at the top of the village of Llangwm on the Hook Road.

It was built by construction firm Dawnus and designed to a BREEAM excellent standard.

The building is highly sustainable featuring solar hot water panels, sprinklers and rainwater harvesting.

As well as infant and junior classrooms, the building also includes an Early Years classroom block, kitchen, hall and music, IT and library rooms - as well as a community room for after school activities.

The new school is the latest in a long line of new buildings and improvements to the education infrastructure in the county since Pembrokeshire County Council came into being in 1996.

"Since 1996, the council has allocated over £120 million to new projects to improve school buildings and the education environment for our young people," said Clr. Rowlands.

"Young people are our most precious commodity and we make no apologies for trying to ensure that they have the best possible environment in which to learn."