A NEW building has been named at the King's School, Worcester.

More than 200 people went to the school to see the topping out and naming of the Keyes building by retiring headmaster Tim Keyes.

Previously known as The Space, the Keyes building incorporates a new sports hall and fitness suite, a three-storey indoor climbing wall, two dance and drama studios, an outdoor sculpture gallery, a sixth form centre with meeting and seminar rooms and extensive new teaching facilities.

here is also an underground car park and all facilities will be made available for community use out of school hours.

The Keyes building has been designed both to complement the historic buildings that surround it and mirrors the dimensions and design of the original Royal Worcester Porcelain factory building that sits directly opposite.

The practice of topping out a new building can be traced to the ancient Scandinavian religious rite of placing a tree atop a new building to appease the tree-dwelling spirits displaced in its construction.

On this occasion, the traditional tree was replaced by the wooden entrance beam engraved by artist Gary Breeze.

Mr Keyes unveiled the beam to reveal its new name.

Following the speeches, guests who included many parents who helped fund-raise and manage the project, were able to look inside the building on Saturday, May 3.