A PRIMARY school in Cam which closed its doors for the last time in 1966 before becoming a community hall has been converted into a home.

Founded in the 19th century, Lower Cam Infants’ School was a place of learning for generations of children before the building was taken over by neighbouring St Bartholomew’s Church.

For decades the Grade II listed building was used for community events before being sold by the church.

It was bought by father and son pair Terry and Tony Perks who have spent the last two years converting the building into a home.

The crowning glory of their work on the building was the refurbishment of the old school bell which can now be rung from one of the bathrooms.

Terry Perks said: “We believe that there is no one alive now that has heard the bell ring – it has been about 100 years or so since it was last used.

Described in old schools logs by a former headmistress as a “useful” tool, the bell can now once again be heard in the village.

Work to repair the bell took Tony about a day to complete and a replacement bell rope, which used to be used in a church, was bought online.

The duo have had many curious visitors, including members of the Dursley and Cam Society, stop by to check on progress on the conversion of the building which still retains much of the historic features it would have as a school.

Pulleys hang from a beam above one of the bedrooms which, it is believed, were used for raising and lowering a blackboard from the ceiling.

Despite most of the works being given approval via a planning application work to convert the listed building was not always easy with a replacement for the fire door at the back of the building taking 12 weeks to be approved by the council.

With work almost completed the now two-storey house will be put on the market shortly with an estimated price of about £475,000.