A SCHOOL in north Durham when has celebrated its 140th anniversary.

Annfield Plain Junior School was opened on May 10, 1875, when Benjamin Disraeli was Prime Minister and Queen Victoria was on the throne.

In those days it was called Annfield Plain British School and parents paid between 3d and 5d to send their children there.

On Friday, pupils past and present joined teachers for a cream tea celebration with entertainment from a magician.

The school’s log book, which was on display, revealed that boys and girls were segregated until 1945.

Also in the year the Second World War ended, the blackout curtains were taken down and turned into PE shirts for the girls.

Headteacher Inez Burgess said: “It is interesting because a lot of people who attended still live in the area and several generations have gone to the school.

“They love coming back in and a lot of them have children at the school now.

“The building itself has been updated a lot inside but it is much the same as it was. It is stone built and is a lovely old building.

“It is good for the children because it ensures they understand the heritage of their community and this sort of thing helps them feel proud.”