The stars were invited to yesterday's grand opening of Weston Favell School to mark the completion of the building project.

About 60 guests, including Northampton Mayor Brian Markham, governors and headteachers from schools in the surrounding area, attended the champagne reception.

In her speech, headteacher Dr Tracey Jones said: "I am very delighted to have Konnie Huq and Sarah Storey with us.

"I particularly wanted guest speakers who were young, relevant and close to the age of our students and whom they could empathise with. They are both excellent role models.

"This has been a huge building programme, with moments of frustration and tension, and the end product has been this lovely new site.

"As a headteacher, I am confident this is becoming a rapidly improving school which will go on from strength to strength."

Swimming champion Mrs Storey has collected five golds, eight silvers and three bronze medals in the Games.

She was awarded the MBE in 1998 and later switched her sporting efforts to cycling. This year she picked up her second cycling gold medal at the Beijing Paralympics.

Miss Huq, an ex-Blue Peter presenter, said: "It is a real privilege and honour to be here today at this beautiful building which is being inaugurated.

"The new resources will go a long way to helping students achieve their potential."

The school was finally reunited under one roof at the current site in Booth Lane South earlier this year, after operating on a split-site since 2004.

About 80 per cent of the original building has been converted from an upper to a secondary school and features new classroom blocks, a technology faculty, recording studio, all-weather sports pitch, covered walkway and atrium.

Guests invited to the £6,000 ceremony were taken on a tour of the school and all 1,300 pupils were given a commemorative pen to mark the grand opening.

Students were also able to interview the two stars.