YOUNGSTERS at St Barnabas Primary School in Market Lavington had a taste of school life in the USA when the reception class held a leaving ceremony for pupil Euan Bryans.

Euan, five, is moving to Florida and to mark the move he and his fellow pupils took part in an American-style graduation ceremony.

It was the idea of teacher Pauline Howard-Dale who asked all the pupils to wear mortarboards. She said: "We made it as realistic as possible and followed the way that Americans graduate from school. All the children were presented with a certificate. It was brilliant. The children were very excited and we all enjoyed it."

Euan and his older brothers, Calum, ten, and eight-year-old Stuart, who were also pupils at St Barnabas, will move to Florida with their parents Elaine and Douglas this summer. Mr Bryans will be taking up a new job as a chemist.

Mrs Bryans said the family were sad to be leaving Market Lavington but were excited about the chance of living in America.

She said: "Euan hasn't comprehended where America is. He thinks Scotland is very far away."

The end of term also marked the final day at the school for Ms Howard-Dale. She joined the school last September as a supply teacher and was intending to stay for two weeks. She enjoyed it so much that she stayed for the rest of the year.

She has 20 years' primary school experience but her last job was as a lecturer at the University of Wales.