A NEW state-of-the-art facility has been unveiled at a Lowestoft High School.The new �95,000 media suite opened at the Denes High School, in partnership with Harris Middle School, has been hailed as a 'fantastic addition' by staff, governors, pupils, former Anglia TV presenter Helen McDermott, and by leading actor and local rising star Reece Ritchie.

A NEW state-of-the-art facility has been unveiled at a Lowestoft High School.

The new �95,000 media suite opened at the Denes High School, in partnership with Harris Middle School, has been hailed as a 'fantastic addition' by staff, governors, pupils, former Anglia TV presenter Helen McDermott, and by leading actor and local rising star Reece Ritchie.

The suite, which was opened at a special ceremony last Wednesday, has seen the Denes former computer room transformed into a stunning green screen room, a conference room and ICT area.

It has been designed to allow pupils from both schools to fully explore the world of film and media.

'The media suite is a fantastic new addition to our school,' said Justin Smith, Denes' operations manager. 'The centre offers students for the first time a real opportunity to develop their skills in film and media and ultimately a career in those industries.'

To mark the opening, Reece Ritchie - star of Hollywood films 10,000 BC, The Lovely Bones and more recently Prince of Persia - and Helen McDermott cut the ribbon and spent time meeting students.

With the restructuring of schools locally, the partnership between the two schools has flourished.

Prior to the decision to close Harris Middle, plans were under way for a new media facility at the school. So funds set aside for the project were ploughed into the new media suite at The Denes.

Reece Ritchie told The Journal he was impressed by the facility.

'I was 19 when I left Lowestoft to go to drama school and to have this facility in school at such an early age is so invaluable,' he said. 'Green screen rooms are now used throughout media and every film has it now - so this is brilliant and I can't say enough good things about it!'

Ms McDermott added: 'Congratulations to everyone. It's a fantastic area to be used by all.'

Today, Denes High will celebrate being designated as a Food for Life flagship school. The status recognises Denes is 'leading the way' in educating students and staff in the importance of healthy eating. 'We officially celebrate our achievement this Friday as we launch our Food for Life status,' Mr Smith said. 'We've organised a 'Food Friday' event which the whole school will take part in.'

A number of organisations including the Soil Association, Food for Life, Community health trainers and nutritionists and local farmers will all have market stalls in the school this morning with students from Denes, Ashley School, Roman Hill Middle and Harris Middle school all taking part.