ABOUT 300 ex-pupils and staff who were at Durrington Comprehensive School in the 1970s and '80s went back on Saturday for their first reunion.

They gathered in the hall of the school now Upper Avon to chat over old times and update one another on what they were doing.

Sarah Martell (ne Baylay), Kerrin Brebner and twin sister Claire Swatton (ne Frampton), and Marnie Terry organised the reunion for pupils who left between 1976 and 1986.

"It was fantastic," she said.

"We decorated the hall with balloons, banners and pictures, and we had a buffet, bar and disco.

"But no one was eating much because they were all chatting.

"About 300 ex-pupils and eight or nine teachers turned up.

"For many, it was the first time back to the area for 21 years some people came from as far as America and Malta and a lot of people met up with old girlfriends and boyfriends.