In pictures: Katherine Jenkins back at school

Although suffering a cold, she gave pupils an impromptu performance in the hall where she made her stage debut as a child in a talent show.

A new music studio at Alderman Davies School is being name after the double Classical Brit winner.

Jenkins, who was there to launch a book about the school's history, said she was "really touched" to return.

The singer, who was a pupil from the mid to late 1980s, said: "I have really wonderful memories of my time here - my first performance ever was in the hall in the school talent show singing "Going Down The Garden To Eat Worms".

"I was honestly really touched to be asked to come back.

"So much has changed - the whole building looks completely different now - it's really emotional being back.

I have really wonderful memories of my time here Katherine Jenkins

"I was a pupil here - so was my mum and my aunty and if I'm lucky enough to have children I hope they will be able to come here as well.

"I love coming back to Neath - this is home and always will be."

Pupils at the school persuaded her to perform a quick number - and she did a rendition of her talent show entry.

She also promised to send all 360 of them a signed photo as her time was also in demand signing copies of the book for their parents and past pupils.

'Every penny'

"I have had a quick look at the book - it's a really good idea to raise money," she added.

It includes photograph of her as a youngster along with images from as far back as the early 1900s.

Darren Baker of the PTA said thousands of pupils would have attended the school - the oldest in the borough of Neath Port Talbot - but he was delighted Jenkins could attend.

"Every penny we make on the book goes to the PTA to be spent on resources for the school.

"We have just had a �2.5m overhaul at the school and all the classes have been done so they just need equipment to go in them.

"We have a new music room and the old school hall is going to be the Katherine Jenkins studio where concerts will be played.