FORMER pupils, teachers and parents returned to Weaverham High School on Friday to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Old boys and girls shared their memories of years gone by and were surprised how the school had grown over the years.

And as part of the anniversary celebrations the first Head Girl Kath Mills, née Hewitt, hoisted the specialist technology college's flag up the newly installed flagpole.

It was officially opened on October 26, 1956, by Alderman H J S Dewes as Weaverham County Secondary Modern School.

When the school first opened, the immediate problem facing staff was to get the specialised

metalwork, woodwork and domestic science rooms equipped and ready for lessons.

But they did and, in the intervening 50 years, it has grown from 250 pupils to well over 1,000.

Headteacher David Charlton said: 'There are many reasons to celebrate the school's 50-year history.

'Our current pupils enjoy the access to superb facilities which would not have been possible 50 years ago and achieve exam results which will take them on to university and successful careers.

'In the intervening period fantastic work has been done by the staff and pupils at Weaverham High School to give the school the very well respected reputation that it has today.'