DANCE legend Wayne Sleep will officially open a £600,000 state-of-the-art dance and drama studio at a school that recently became the first in Suffolk to be granted performing arts status.

DANCE legend Wayne Sleep will officially open a £600,000 state-of-the-art dance and drama studio at a school that recently became the first in Suffolk to be granted performing arts status.

The light-footed superstar – who famously danced with Princess Diana and recently found new recognition when he appeared on television's survival show I'm a Celebrity get Me Out of Here – has agreed to open the hi-tech facility at Sudbury Upper School.

Students returning to the school for the first week of term are already reaping the benefits of the new complex, with all year groups using it for an array of dance, music and drama related subjects.

Although students are already benefiting from the studio facilities its official opening date will take place on November 19. Mr Sleep was invited to conduct the opening ceremony due to his obvious connections with the performing arts.

Headteacher Dudley Whittaker said: "We are delighted Wayne Sleep has agreed to come for the official opening. As we are now trying to promote the performing arts in the town we wanted someone with a high profile and who better than Wayne Sleep.

"The students and the wider community are already using the new complex and it is a very exciting time."

The school was given an initial £100,000 when it was granted college status by the Government last year.

With the help of grants from the Local Education Authority, Babergh District Council, Sudbury Town Council and the Community Energy Project, the school raised the £600,000 it needed.

Facilities include dance, drama and recording studios and a live sound studio with perfect acoustics suitable for all types of music from rock bands to string quartets.

Pupils at the school will be able to study for a range of qualifications in performing arts subjects and the centre will also be available to the town's middle and primary and the Ramsey High School in Halstead.

Outside school hours the complex will be open to the whole community in the evenings and at weekends, offering a range of courses and activities from toddlers to pensioners.