A ROSE HILL old boy returned to the Alderley school on Saturday to official open the new all-weather, multi-sports pitch.

Accompanied by a trumpet fanfare from the Royal Air Forces Association Swing Band, Richard Hildick-Smith, 18, cut the ribbon to the new pitch. He was assisted by three-year-old Grace Hime, the school's youngest girl, and Edward Scott-Bowden, 13, the oldest boy.

Mr Hildick-Smith, who is part of the 2008 Beijing pre-Olympic British modern pentathlon team, said: "Sporting proficiency is developed in your formative years so it's very important that children have access to such excellent sporting facilities as these early on."

A tree donated by Grimshaw Kinnear, the pitch contractors, was planted by Gilbert Wheat, headmaster between 1957 and 1978, to commemorate the new pitch.

An inaugural hockey training session followed under the guidance of the school's director of sport, Heidi Bray, before visitors returned to the warmth of the Victorian house for refreshments and a chance to hear more of the RAFA Swing Band.

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of VE/VJ Day, the eight-piece band, with contralto Karen Litchfield, played numbers form the 1940s.

Band leader Peter Skellon said: "I know the school has always welcomed children from services families, so we were delighted to support Rose Hill with the opening of their impressive new pitch.

The official opening ceremony followed a successful open morning for prospective parents.