GUEST of honour Dave ‘Boy’ Green officially opened a �1.7 million extension at Manea Primary School on Wednesday.

Boxing legend Green, who won British and European titles in a career spanning seven years, unveiled the new school buildings, which include an outdoor learning space, music room, group room and kitchen facilities.

The presentation was opened by Councillor John Powley, in what was one of his first acts as the new chairman of Cambridgeshire County Council.

Cllr Powley - a career politician - served as an MP and a previous leader of Cambridge City Council.

He was elected chairman of the county council at its annual meeting last week and succeeds Councillor Linda Oliver. His vice-chairman is Councillor Kevin Reynolds.

Cllr Powley has represented Soham on the county council since 1997. He was MP for Norwich South between 1983 and 1987 and was a member of Cambridge City Council from 1967 to 1979.

During his three years as leader - from 1976-1979 - he oversaw the �27 million development of what is now the Grafton Centre in Cambridge.

Cllr Powley, who is married to Jill and has three grown-up children, owned his own business in Chesterton for 24 years – John Powley (Radio and Television) Ltd - which he sold in 1984. He is also a governor at Soham Village College and the Weatheralls Primary School in Soham.

Cllr Powley said: “It is a great honour to be elected as Chairman of Cambridgeshire County Council. My wife and I are looking forward enormously to a busy two years of engagements, representing the county of Cambridgeshire both here and elsewhere.

“I will hope to see as much of the county as possible during my period of office. I hope that I will have the opportunity of seeing at first hand just what makes the county of Cambridgeshire tick.”