A new £120,000 cafe has opened at Marlborough School in Sidcup.

Café L’école, meaning school cafe in French, was officially opened by Bexley mayor Sharon Massey. 

Pupils from the school help run the cafe under the supervision of teachers and teaching assistants to help develop their social skills and confidence. 

The students, aged between 13 and 18, use the cash tills, help to serve members of the public, wipe down tables, restock fridges and shelves and help keep the cafe clean. 

The school has spent the last 18 months renovating the former convenience store which is next to the school building in Marlborough Park Avenue.

Linda Lee, headteacher, thanked and congratulated all those who have been involved in developing the "innovative idea" for the cafe at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

She added: "The cafe enables our students with special needs to experience a variety of jobs and to learn more about themselves and the world of work under the careful guidance of our staff and teaching assistants.

"The students are thrilled to be serving the local community."

The cafe is open to the public and is currently open from 9.00am to 2.15pm during term time and the school is looking to extend the opening hours in the near future.

Pupils aged between 13 and 18 run the cafe and work on a rota basis.