Polar explorer Ann Daniels proved to be an inspiration to pupils at a private school near Melksham as she officially unveiled a £500,000 sixth form centre.

Ann, who has just returned from the Catlin Arctic Survey - a three-month pioneering expedition to help determine the lifespan of the Arctic Ocean’s sea ice cover - gave an illustrated talk at Stonar School in Atworth, before cutting the ribbon to launch its sixth form and arts centre.

The explorer was then given a tour of the new single-storey facility, which caters for the school’s 80 sixth form students and is on the site of the former arts department, before chatting to pupils.

The facility, designed by architects Nugent Vallis Brierley Ltd, from Frome, is made up of a social centre, seminar room, study centre and two art facilities, as well as an outdoor area, complete with pergola.

Construction work started in September 2008, with pupils moving into the centre at the start of the summer term.

Carrie Rolls, marketing director at the school, said governors, staff, sixth form pupils past and present and parents attended the launch event, as well as Melksham mayor Richard Wiltshire.

She said: “Ann exuded energy and sheer life. She was a very interesting character.

“The pupils really liked her. They found her inspirational.

“The sixth form centre has given the students a real sense of independence.”

Ann Daniels was in the first all women’s relay to the North Pole and she has walked across the most inhospitable continent in the world, Antarctica, to reach the South Pole.

In 2002, despite appalling conditions including three major storms, carbon monoxide poisoning, frostbite and wet gangrene, she and her team mate beat the odds and reached the North Pole, to become the first women’s team ever to reach both poles on foot.

An open morning will be held at the Stonar School this Saturday, from 10.30am to 12.30pm, giving visitors the chance to tour the new facility.