'OLD BOYS' of a former Keighley school have reunited and marked a milestone.

More than 40 people, many of them ex-pupils of the old Keighley Boys' Grammar School (KBGS), gathered at the town's rugby union club.

This year the annual reunion included a special celebration heralding the tercentenary of Keighley's first free grammar school.

A photographic record of KBGS was presented, charting activities between the late 1930s and the school's closure in North Street following a fire in 1962. The school relocated to Oakbank.

Other photos, memorabilia and paintings were also on show.

Guests at the event included nonagenarian George 'Spike Rannard, a former senior history master at KBGS.

Wives and widows of ex-students were also present.

"New and often firm friendships have been established between old boys of quite disparate ages through attendance at these reunions," said Doug Thompson, who helps spearhead the events.

"One looks forward to renewing those friendships from year to year, if distance prevents more regular meetings.

"A small group has emerged from the reunions which meets every three weeks for an extended lunch, while other such friendships entail rather longer journeys to the Antipodes!"

Former pupils unable to attend the latest reunion sent greetings from Australia and New Zealand, as well as from across Britain.

And ex-students and staff who had died during the past year were remembered.

The next full reunion is provisionally planned for September 23 next year.

Contact Mr Thompson on allen.d.thompson100@gmail.com or 01768 744988 for further information.