A THOUSAND candles burned as brightly as the memories when a school began to mark its closure this week.

St Anthony's School, which closes its doors for the last time after 45 years next month, was open yesterday for former pupils to take a last nostalgic look round their old haunt.

And as part of a festival to mark the school's achievements, nearby Corpus Christi Church has been lit by one thousand candles.

The celebration started last Thursday with the opening of a memorabilia exhibition at the east Middlesbrough school.

The display will be a permanent feature of the festival, reflecting the life and times of the school.

Visitors who failed to make Thursday's official opening are welcome to call into the school after 10am on weekdays.