CBEEBIES favourite Chris Jarvis cut the ribbon and officially opened the new outdoor performance area at Talbot Heath Junior School yesterday.

Hundreds of pupils aged from three to 11 sat with rapt attention as the children’s presenter who lives in Bournemouth entertained them with stories of his successful career in TV.

The new outdoor stage was entirely funded by the ticket sales of the school’s production of Hansel and Gretel which was written by three members of staff.

Chris who is returning to direct and star in Aladdin at Bournemouth Pavilion said: “I think the outdoor stage is an absolutely marvellous idea. “It was brilliant to be able to come into the school and meet the people who made the stage possible.

“Kids love to use their imagination and I know when I was at school I would have loved the chance to put on small performances for my friends.”

Pupils will be able to put on dance shows, small plays and comedy routines to entertain their peers as well as using the area to rehearse school productions.

Jakki Rook, deputy head teacher of the junior school said: “All the children were absolutely over the moon that Chris could come, they were so excited and asked him so many questions about his career on stage and on TV.”

Inscribed on the stage is a quote from Walt Disney which reads: “Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children.”

Karen Leahy, head teacher of the junior school said: "Whilst our academic rigour at school is important we believe that one of the keys to a child's happiness is helping ignite that spark of creativity and imagination that lies within all of us.”