AFTER more than a century, the classroom bell will sound for the last time this afternoon in a small independent school with a proud academic record.

Record exam results and a glowing Ofsted report could not save St Anne's High School, in Wolsingham, County Durham, which was unable to attract enough pupils to make it viable.

Numbers dwindled so badly by the end of last year that trustees, the Catholic Sisters of Mercy, were forced to close at the end of this term.

Parents who offered cash and other support were turned down because the problem was not financial.

It was simply that, perhaps because of its rural location, families were not choosing the £1,115-a-term St Anne's for their children.

The sisters were also experiencing a decline in numbers and headteacher Sister Adrienne Shoulder was the only member of the order left on the staff.

Over the past few days, ex-pupils have been sending tributes and expressing sadness at the closure.

Many returned for a last look round, at a summer garden party last Saturday. Others attended a service of thanksgiving in neighbouring St Thomas Church.

Sister Adrienne said: "There is a great deal of sadness at the closure of a wonderful school that has meant so much to many people.

"I am pleased that all the staff have found new posts and the pupils will all be settled in new schools.

"St Anne's has been a very happy school and an important part of village life. It has been like a big family."