Two years of fundraising finally paid dividends this week when the newly refurbished Barbirolli Hall at St Clement Danes School in Chorleywood was officially opened.

Cecilie Jaggard, the niece of the late Sir John Barbirolli, unveiled a piece of artwork which was commissioned to mark the completion of the building work.

She said: "It is a pleasure and a privilege to be here. I am delighted to see that my uncle is so fondly remembered by the school that he attended all those years ago."

John Barbirolli was a student at St Clement Danes School from 1910-1915 when it was located in Houghton Street, London.

A gifted musician, he went on to become a renowned conductor with a lifetime association with the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester.

Other distinguished guests at the unveiling included members of the Holborn Estate Charity which founded the original school and continue to support St Clement Danes.

The charity made a significant donation towards the £500,000 refurbishment costs.

Richard Carey, a school trustee and long-serving governor, said: "To me it seems only yesterday that we talked about building an assembly hall and here we are celebrating the refurbishment and updating of that same hall.

"It is a pleasure to see how the hall has been extensively improved and modernised."

Headteacher Dr Josephine Valentine added: "Students, parents, staff, governors, trustees and alumni have been fantastic in their support of our appeal.

"We would like to thank all those who have helped us to deliver these major improvements. We are thrilled with the results."

The improvements include new décor throughout, upholstered tiered retractable theatre seating, improved lighting and new glass doors.

The foyer and toilet facilities have been updated, and two fully equipped conference rooms - aptly named the Holborn and the Hallé - have been built into the design.

The Barbirolli Hall and its conference rooms is available for hire by members of the public when not in use by the school.