GAMES-mad youngsters at a New Forest school have been given the perfect platform for future achievement with a state-of-the-art new sports hall.

Olympic judo silver medallist Kate Hoey officially opened the multi-purpose facility at Moyles Court School, Ringwood, which has taken a year to build and some £300,000 to fund.

It includes three badminton courts and netball/basketball facilities, and will be used as a springboard to develop the school's gymnastic and trampolining opportunities.

There is a spectators' gallery and changing rooms, and the hall will also house music and drama performances.

Scores of parents, governors, neighbours and other guests - including Mayor of Ringwood Cllr Danny Cracknell - packed into the hall for the opening ceremony.

They saw pupils demonstrate both their fitness and enthusiasm with a "superschools" training challenge under the expert guidance of another famous athlete, Todd Bennett - a member of Britain's 1980s 400-metre relay team. The completion of the hall marks another feather in the school's sporting cap.

Earlier this year it was awarded the national Sportsmark award for its efforts in nurturing pupils' talents, which has in turn attracted sponsorship and major tournaments - most recently a six-a-side football event drawing 250 children from 20 schools.

The new hall will also be available for wider community use.

Headteacher Richard Dean said: "Our sports ethos has always been very positive, but this will enable us to go on to even greater things, particularly with indoor games. We are all delighted with the facility. It has been a long time coming, but was well worth the wait."