FORMER staff and pupils relived their school days at a special anniversary celebration in Dorchester.

The Prince of Wales School hosted a fun-filled event to mark its 20th anniversary with pupils, parents and staff both past and present coming together to enjoy the occasion.

The birthday bash saw a range of entertainment from a bouncy castle and face painting to archery, arts and crafts and tae-wondo.

There was a country fair competition with photographs and cakes as well as loom band making and a forest woodcraft activity.

Visitors to the school were also able to enjoy an exhibition of old photographs as well as a hog roast, Ghanaian djembe drumming and music from three live bands – Stickleback Jack, the Piecemakers and Quinns Quinney.

Headteacher Peter Farrington, who has been in the post since the school opened 20 years ago, said he was delighted with how the event had gone.

He said: “The weather was good and everybody had a great time.

“There was a great turn-out and we had lots of ex-pupils and their parents who came back to tell us what they are now up to and a good number of previous members of staff, including teachers and support staff who were here when the school first opened.”

Current pupils and their families were able to camp at the school overnight and Mr Farrington said that about 30 families had spent the night camping out.

He also thanked all those people, including parents and staff, who had worked so hard to help make the event such a success.

Mr Farrington said: “Everybody from the parent community and staff all pulled together and helped in a variety of ways.”