CELEBRATIONS marked the 25th anniversary of Southwell County Primary School, the only school on Portland which provides primary education.

Pupils, governors and staff attended a special assembly at which Stuart and Heather Morris and John and Sue Darler were the guests of honour.

A quarter of a century ago, as head teacher Mr Stuart McLeod described the passage of time, both couples were present for the official opening on July 4, 1980.

On that day, a commemorative plaque, carved by the late Skylark Durston, was unveiled by Mr Morris who was then Portland town mayor and a county councillor.

He said: "As housing increased, so did young families, so a school was essential for the village.

"As a county councillor then, I was heavily involved in getting the new school into the building programme and seeing it being built was an exciting time."

He told the pupils: "Do your best, try hard in your lessons, be happy and look forward to the next 25 years when your children could be celebrating the 50th anniversary."

Mr Darler, who was chairman of governors in 1980, said: "There were lots of question marks over the establishment of Southwell Primary School, but it has developed so that it is now an intregal and much- respected part of the community."

Mr Mcleod showed slides of the school being built, wished the school a happy birthday, uncovered a huge birthday cake which had to be cut into 200 pieces and showed the time capsule which is to be buried beneath a new flagpole and only needs this report and picture to complete its contents.

The celebrations also included an anniversary fete, run by Swell, the school friends association, which raised £2,092. An exhibition of pictures from the early years was also on display.

Mrs Jan Dumble, a former teaching assistant, said: "It's lovely now, but my memories are of carrying in all the desks and chairs required during very hot weather."