COUNTDOWN'S resident number-cruncher Carol Vorderman will be cutting the ribbon on a £750,000 development at Giggleswick School.

The TV presenter, who features on Better Homes and Britain's Brainiest, is thought to have been recruited for the school duty by old boy and Giggleswick school governor Richard Whiteley, the Yorkshire-born Countdown presenter.

If all goes to plan, Ms Vorderman will be launching a new teaching centre at Giggleswick's prep school Catteral Hall next Wednesday (October 2).

The new build contains seven classrooms, an ICT room, tutorial and workrooms and a huge library complete with a bespoke stained glass window which was designed by the pupils at the independent school.

Catteral Hall's children have been taking advantage of the new centre since the beginning of term in September.

"It's made a big difference," said the Giggleswick's deputy head Neil Gemmell.

"It has strengthened everything."

After the official opening there is an open day at the school next Saturday morning (October 5).