A GROUP of ex-Chilton Trinity School students have raised more than £1,000 at a reunion prom.

The old building is due to be knocked down to make way for the new school but former students arranged the event and also raised £1,600 for St Margaret's Hospice.

The total included a donation from the band, Retro, on behalf of Yvonne and Bob Sainsbury in memory of Chris, Retro's bass player, who passed away at the beginning of year.

Organiser Tina Heath said: “There were 180 people who attended and it was a brilliant night.

“There was a line up of ex-teachers and it was great to see them. There were people who had met friends who they hadn’t seen for up to 40 years and they came from across the UK.

“At the very end balloons were let into the air to mark anyone we’d lost.

“We’re going to keep it going and have a skittle evening on December 22 at the British Flag in Chilton Street.”

Kevin and Chris Lewis, from Summerfield Way, were also at the reunion and happened to be celebrating their 39th wedding anniversary on the same day.

Chris said: “We both started at Chilton in 1966 and we were in the same class. People said congratulations to us at the reunion.”

She added: “I thought it would be nice to go but it was also nice to celebrate our anniversary with old friends. There were many I hadn’t seen for years. It was a lovely evening.”