Pulham schoolchildren are creating a time capsule to be buried in the grounds of the historic Pennoyer's School as its rebirth as a village centre begins to take shape.

Pulham schoolchildren are creating a time capsule to be buried in the grounds of the historic Pennoyer's School as its rebirth as a village centre begins to take shape.

The old school in Pulham St Mary incorporates a medieval guild chapel, and is currently being restored thanks to a Heritage Lottery Grant of almost �1million. It is on course to open in March 2010 as a village centre offering community and business facilities.

The time capsule has been generously donated by local engineering company Waveney Pumps, and local schoolchildren were asked to make suggestions for items to be included within it.

It will be buried in a ceremony to be held at 1pm on Wednesday, July 15.

Sheila King, chairman of the village centre trust, said: 'The building work has been progressing well and we felt it was an opportune time to mark the significance of the year 2009 in the building's history with a time capsule, as testament to all the time and work that people in this village and beyond have committed to making the dream to restore Pennoyer's a reality.'

Blackburns of Harleston are carrying out the work to restore the listed building to its former glory after it fell into disuse two decades ago, becoming a dilapidated eyesore.

For the first time in more than 100 years the west door of the guild chapel has been reinstated and the old coal shed demolished.

The new timber-framed extension will be clad in untreated oak which will become silvery-grey in time, with grey tinted glass to reduce the effects of the sun. The steel 'birdcage' that supports the first floor has also been inserted and the new facilities will include a meeting room, internet caf�, IT training suite and heritage gallery.