STUDENTS at Bethany School had their first taste of the new £2m science centre on Monday.

The state-of-the-art building, which houses six large laboratories, a lecture area, technician facilities and a Sixth Form study area, has been three years in the making.

There is also a spacious entrance area, complete with plasma screen, displays and fish tanks.

Headteacher Nick Dorey said: "We have a massive technician's area.

"If you don't have enough space you can't have the equipment and prepare the practicals.

"We wanted to promote practical work as much as we could."

The building has also been designed to be energy efficient, with low energy lights, solar panels, light tubes and a wind turbine.

Any excess heat stored by the centre in the summer months will be used to heat the nearby swimming pool.