THE centenary of a university college with strong links to the church was marked with the release of 300 balloons - one for each term of its existence.

St Chads College, in the shadow of Durham Cathedral, moved to the city from a site near Doncaster in 1904, and originally trained men for ordained ministry in the Church of England.

Liverpool benefactor Douglas Horsfall bought the college several buildings in North Bailey, which it still occupies.

While maintaining its strong links with the Anglican church, there are as many students of non-religious subjects as there are theologians and historians.

With 330 undergraduates and 50 postgraduates, St Chad's is the smallest of Durham University's colleges, but is one of the most popular.

Among its many distinguished alumni are bishops, military leaders, explorers and journalists.

About 100 returned to join the centenary celebrations, with a service of celebration at the cathedral, when representatives of the college's sports teams, clubs and societies entered in procession.

Principal Dr Joe Cassidy said: "This is a celebration of a community of young adults getting ready to take their place in the world.

"We've been in the business of training minds and hearts for a hundred years and we see that as our priority for the next hundred."