CHILDHOOD memories came flooding back for former pupils during a centenary celebration at a Darlington school.

Parents and staff at Rise Carr Primary School, in Eldon Street, held a party to celebrate 100 years of the school's history.

Former staff and pupils, who travelled from far and wide, met up in the school hall to share memories of times gone by. Many had not seen each other since they left the school, which first opened on October 10, 1902.

Almost a hundred people turned out for the celebration. Friends of Rise Carr School, which helped organise the event, had decorated the hall with old photographs and memorabilia.

Olive Collins, nee Thomas, 69, of Crook, who used to live in the town's Westmoreland Street, joined the school's nursery, aged three, in 1936.

She said: "I have had a great time and have met up with people I haven't seen since I left the school in 1945. It was a lot different back in those days. I left when the war ended.

"I remember we used to have practice evacuations and we would all have to line up in the school yard, and there was a pretend air raid shelter. After it had finished there would be a tin box under the chair full of sweets for us."

Couple Marjorie and John Mason, who both used to attend Rise Carr, still have strong links with the school.

Their daughter, Elaine Armer, is a teacher there and their niece is a classroom assistant. Mr Mason, 76, also dresses up as the school Santa each year.

Mr Mason said: "I remember we used to have an hour's sleep each day and we were all lined up on canvas beds in the nursery, that was in 1930."

Headteacher Tony Kemp thanked the friends of the school for making the event possible.

He said: "It has been a wonderful day and we have had a brilliant turnout. It has been nice to hear people recalling memories."