His widow, Carol Hughes, was guest of honour at the opening, which also signalled the start of a festival to mark the 10th anniversary of the poet's death.

The Calderdale Readers and Writers Festival began today with events that will eventually extend to every Calderdale library.

The Ted Hughes Young Poets Award and the Elmet Prize Awards will be presented later this month by the current poet laureate Andrew Motion and Hughes's daughter, Frieda.

Ted Hughes was no stranger to Calder High School. He officially opened the school's learning and resource centre, where a manuscript of his work now hangs, and was an occasional guest teacher.

After a morning spent with A-level English students, his widow told younger pupils, staff, governors and other guests how impressed she was with the work put in by the school and its supporters.

"I am absolutely delighted that this theatre has been named after Ted.

"It is a wonderful asset and will keep his memory alive for many years to come," she said.

Head teacher Stephen Ball said more than £700,000 had been spent transforming what had been a dilapidated hall into a performance space as good as any.

"We now have facilities fit for all the arts and the community and something which Mytholmroyd can be especially proud of."

He said Ted Hughes was probably the most celebrated and gifted writer to have been born in the Calder Valley and his family's support for the school had been considerable.

Students studying GCSE and A-level performing arts, and dancers from other classes, provided the entertainment at yesterday's theatre opening with their own pieces based on the life and work of Ted Hughes, who was born only yards from the school.

The energetic and innovative programme also included original musical compostions.