Staff and pupils at two primaries are celebrating moving into new buildings almost two years after they were devastated by flooding.

North Wheatley CofE and North Leverton CofE, near Retford, were severely damaged in June 2007. Repairs to both cost around Pounds 3 million.

North Leverton was forced to hold classes at a local power station then moved into local churches (pictured) until temporary classrooms arrived.

Joanna Hall, acting head at North Wheatley, which took similar steps, said: “It was devastating seeing the children’s work spoiled. But we are now all really looking forward to getting into the new school.”

Kevin Bacon, headteacher of North Leverton, said: “The school has been brought up to 21st-century standards.”

More than 850 schools in England were affected by the floods in the summer of 2007 - more than 200 needed significant repairs. But only 26 were so badly damaged that they needed temporary classrooms. DM.