STAFF and students at a north Durham school are celebrating its centenary this week.

Tanfield School, near Stanley, opened its doors as a teacher training college on October 16, 1912.

On Tuesday, the school marked the occasion with a range of activities including paintball, archery and fancy dress from the last 100 years.

Celebrations have been organised by the Tanfield Association, which keeps in touch with ex-students with regular newsletters.

President Bob Harrison attended between 1955-62, leaving with eight O-levels and three A-levels to study science at university and went on to become a professor.

Prof Harrison, 68, who is originally from Stanley, but now lives in Chester-le-Street, said: “A lot of state schools are in new buildings these days so it nice for staff and pupils today to feel they are part of an institution with a rich history.”

The school was opened as Tanfield Lea Higher Elementary School and Pupils Teacher Centre and went on to become AldermanWood School, Stanley Grammar School, Tanfield Secondary School, Tanfield Comprehensive School and is now officially known as Tanfield School, Specialist College of Science and Engineering.

The school will be open from 10am-4pm on Saturday for informal tours with an exhibition of 100 years of photographs and other memorabilia. There will be a buffet supper for ex-pupils from 7pm Tickets cost £15. For more information or to book email 100@tanfield-association.org