There was a double boost for a local school recently with both a high profile visitor praising pupils amid news that construction is due to begin soon on the refurbishment and rebuild of the facility.

Stormont First Minister, Peter Robinson, the East Belfast MP and MLA visited Strandtown Primary School on Friday to meet pupils there.

He heard that the unique east Belfast school is part of a confederation of four schools working as one unit and is the biggest controlled primary school in Northern Ireland.

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The dedication and talent of the pupils was evident in the musical performance which they put on during his visit.

The First Minister stated: "The talent showcased today is to be commended and it is evident that the children not only enjoy being here but thrive in this school environment."

Whilst touring the school, he met with a number of pupils from years 4 to 7 and said that he was greatly impressed with their enthusiasm and desire to learn.

"It was a welcome opportunity to meet with the pupils and hear directly from them about their school life," said the senior DUP politician.

A major building scheme for the refurbishment and rebuild of Strandtown Primary School was announced under the Assembly's 2006 New Starts programme.

The school has links with St Joseph's and St Anne's in Belfast, a school in Dublin and schools in Sweden and China.

(BMcC/JM)