BOYZONE star Shane Lynch has cut the red ribbon on a new library on an “inspirational” visit to a Corfe Mullen School.

Shane, who enjoyed massive success as part of the chart-topping boy band, was at Lockyers Middle School filming part of a documentary when he performed the honours on Friday.

The musician, who has dyslexia, spent time with children with the same condition, and heaped praise on the school’s special programme for pupils with learning disabilities. He said it was very different to his own school experiences when there was “nothing put in place” to help.

“They have been absolutely amazing, from the students to the teachers – allowing me to come in and speak to the kids on an emotional level.

“To come in and open their library is the least I could do,” he told the Daily Echo.

Shane, who spent time having “a little craic” with the children, and signed a few autographs, was clearly a hit with the youngsters.

Fan Kiera Burgess, 12, said his visit had had a big impact on her. “It was inspirational. When he was talking about when he was in school I could really relate to it,” she said. “I feel a lot more confident now.”

Holly Reed-Bovey, 13, added: “Besides Boyzone, he’s a really successful businessman. It’s really good to have someone like that to look up to.

“I think I’ll remember it when I’m doing my GCSEs, which I know will be hard for me, and I’ll know that it’ll be OK.”

The new library, formerly the ICT suite, was created during a wider £250,000 revamp last year to make rooms for a new kitchen to provide hot school meals. It is bigger, brighter and has more computer access.