The first of four new primary schools completed by Pembrokeshire County Council over the past 18 months has been officially opened.

In one of his last engagements before he stands down as council chairman, Clr. Peter Morgan unveiled a plaque at the award-winning Neyland Community School on Friday.

The £5.5 million building replaces the town's former junior and infant schools and caters for over 350 pupils aged three to 11.

Besides Neyland - and with the help of the Welsh Government - the county council has, since September, 2011, opened Ysgol Glannau Gwaun in Fishguard, Ysgol Ger-y-Llan in Letterston and Cleddau Reach in Llangwm.

"I would be surprised if any local authority in Wales can match that record, especially in these straightened times" said Clr. Morgan.

"Building state-of-the-art school does not come cheap.

"The cost just for those four schools is some £20 million but we believe it is money well spent. Investing in our young people is an investment for the future.

"I believe the very least we can do is to ensure that our children - and those that teach them - have the best resources at their disposal."

Headteacher, Liz Griffiths, said it was a red letter day for the school.

She said: "It is brilliant having the infants and juniors together on one site. Everyone has settled in very well."

And chairman of governors, Dave Western, said the new school provided a fantastic learning environment for the children.

"It has brought us into the 21st Century" he added.

The school is already the proud owner of a prestigious environmental design award. It won the schools category in the 2012 BREEAM Awards Wales.

BREEAM is the leading environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings across the world.

Designed in-house by the county council and built by construction firm Dawnus, the new building self-generates over half the electricity it uses.

This is thanks to a combined heat and power unit, rainwater harvesting and solar panels.

As well as housing infant and junior pupils, the building also comprises an Early Years facility, a community learning centre and a multi-use games pitch.