FORMER school chums from Settle High School reunited at the weekend with many not having seen one another for almost 45 years.

The event took place on Saturday, September 22, to mark the recent 60th birthdays of the school mates who started at the high school in 1969, as well as those who joined the same classes later.

The last reunion of this group took place 20 years ago and on that occasion has been organised almost single-handedly by Fliss Pocock, nee Ellerington.

Plans for a second reunion were mooted late last year and were taken on by David McGonnigal, of Ingleton, with the help of social media and word of mouth.

The end result was a magnificent gathering of over 70 people at Settle Cricket Club who had travelled from as far away as Portsmouth and Spain.

Former Settle High School PE teacher Barbara McLernon (Miss Tripyear) also went along earlier in the evening to see her former charges.

Mr McGonnigal said: "When I started to organise the reunion I never thought we would gather so many old school friends together after 40 plus years, but we did.

"I also never realised how easily we would all drop back into those friendships of our youth."

One of the evening's highlights was the appearance of former school student Kevin Grice.

Rumours circulating some weeks ago about his death were proved to be grossly exaggerated, much to his amusement.

He had only heard of the get-together on the morning of the reunion but had nevertheless travelled up from Exeter to take part.

The group raised a toast to one another and to absent friends.

Plans are now underway for the next reunion with a weekend in the sun on the cards.