A SCHOOL that played host to a popular national radio programme has hailed the event a success.

Radio Four's Any Questions? was broadcast live from the dining hall at Durham School, Durham City, on Friday.

Rodney Thomas, the school's senior master, said he was delighted with the turnout of about 300 people who made up the audience.

"We had distributed an encouraging number of tickets but we could never be quite sure how many people would actually turn up.

"In the event, the hall was almost filled and the audience, warmed up by Mark Turnbull, from BBC Radio Cleveland, was very lively and enthusiastic."

The programme was chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby and the panellists were Darlington Labour MP and former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, Skipton and Ripon Tory MP David Curry, a former member of the Shadow Cabinet, John Swinney, the former leader of the Scottish National Party, who resigned his post last week, and the journalist and broadcaster Ann Leslie, who appeared despite feeling unwell.

Questions included whether the chief constable of Humberside should resign following the Bichard report on the Soham murders, the impending handover of power to an Iraqi government, England's exit from Euro 2004, the future of the National Health Service, and who the panellists would nominate to "spend more time with their family".

Mr Thomas said he was impressed by the BBC team.

"Once they arrived on site, they took care of everything in a most efficient and professional manner," he said.

"We are most grateful to them for giving us the opportunity to host the programme, but especially we are grateful to all who came along to support the event and made it a very successful and enjoyable evening."