PRIMARY school youngsters have taken a step back in time as their school celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Some of the children from Copeland Road Primary School, West Auckland, enjoyed scripture classes and maths using pounds, shillings and pence as they looked back to 1929 when their school opened as a secondary modern.

Others put their artistic talents to the test by creating a mosaic of the school to mark the occasion.

Pupils, teachers and members of staff, both past and present, were also able to take a trip down memory lane with a party at the school last Thursday featuring photographic displays from throughout the years.

Governor and former teacher at the school Joyce Davies, who co-ordinated the celebrations, said that it had been a wonderful time for the school.

She said: "One man, Maurice Jackson, who is 88, came along with a prize that he won when he was at the school and so many people from the community - parents and former members of staff turned out.

"Everyone who came has told us that they had a lovely time and some said that they had been longing for an opportunity to come along and have a look at how the school had changed over the years since they were here."

The school is planning to replace its entrance and dining hall in the coming months.