BOLTON'S newest secondary school welcomed its first pupils on Tuesday.

Ladybridge High School in Deane opened its doors to Year Seven pupils -- those in their first year at secondary school -- and other year groups are taking their place in class as the week progresses.

The school has replaced the failing Deane School which closed in July.

Since then a £1 million cash injection has been used to overhaul the buildings -- and the new Ladybridge School has opened in the same premises.

Pupils arrived in a new black and red uniform which was designed by Deane School pupils who form the majority of the Ladybridge pupils.

Year Seven pupils were invited in first as part of a staggered timetable this week to help the first-year secondary students adjust to their new school life before the older pupils return.

Ladybridge School was created after The Deane was judged by government inspectors to be failing to provide an acceptable standard of education.

It was placed in "special measures" in 2001, but the school failed to improve sufficiently and the Department for Education and Skills wrote to Bolton's Director of Education Margaret Blenkinsop asking her to consider closing the school.

The name of the new school was chosen by parents and other residents because of its location, close to the Ladybridge estate.

The school buildings have not only undergone a radical overhaul, but new computer facilities and a dance studio have also been added.

A new headteacher, Jo Gabler, has been appointed and the staffing structure which was in place at the Deane has been reviewed.

Ladybridge School will be run in partnership with the successful Rivington and Blackrod High School at Horwich and both will be under the overall leadership of Executive Principal John Baumber.

The two schools will also have a single governing body.

Mrs Gabler said: "The atmosphere is very vibrant and upbeat. I'm very excited and so are the rest of the staff.

"The children are coming back into an environment that is totally different. All the walls have been painted in new colours and there is a lot of new staff.

"We have got four new science labs, a new technology building and hospitality and catering areas, as well as a new library and ICT suite."

One of the Year Seven pupils, Karl Jones, aged 11, who previously went to Ladybridge Primary pupil, said: "I am really happy to be here, and I am looking forward to doing woodwork.

"I really like the way the building looks."

Tom Molyneux, aged 11, said: "I think the new uniform is brilliant, I felt proud putting it on.

"I had a look round here before for my induction day. Since then all the walls have been painted and it looks really good."