PUPILS and staff who left a Swindon school during the era of the Beatles are travelling from as far afield as Australia for a reunion.

All were at Penhill Secondary School, leaving between 1962 and 1966.

Over the years, they have fanned out across the world, taking up careers ranging from paediatric trauma surgeon to business owner.

The reunion will take place at the Coleview Club on January 24.

Organiser Freda Milne put together a similar gathering in June, which attracted about 65 people, but she expects this figure to double at next month's get-together and is still trying to track down some old school friends she hasn't been able to contact.

She said: "We are all really looking forward to seeing each other again."

Former pupils who have so far eluded Mrs Milne, and from whom she would love to hear are Rica Dubell, Bill Spurling, Barry Jenkins, Carol Stanton, Carol Doddington, David Collins, Nigel Antroverse, Linda Barnes, Helen Gowing, Paul Ross and Dave Cleaver.

Mrs Milne, who lives in Penhill Drive, would also like to hear from former teachers Fred Lovis, Bernard Tomlinson and Ruth Hull.

Mrs Milne can be contacted on 01793 334883 and at fredamilne@hotmail.com.