STUDENTS celebrated their achievements in school over the past year at a prize giving ceremony.

Hundreds of people attended the annual prize giving at King James I School, Bishop Auckland, on Tuesday night.

As well as celebrating the outstanding achievements of pupils, this year's event marked the start of the school's 400th anniversary.

Headteacher Steve Rodchester said: "This year's prize giving evening was a very special occasion for us. I believe the year 2005 will be our finest year as a school."