Greystoke Primary school has this year marked its 175th anniversary, and MP Rory Stewart was among those celebrating the historic milestone, alongside pupils, teachers, parents and school governors.

The Penrith and the Border MP was invited to talk on his experiences walking across Afghanistan, before engaging in a discussion about the country's uncertain future.

To mark the anniversary, Rory also offered to help establish a pen-pal exchange between Greystoke school, and a primary school in Kabul, to help encourage a greater understanding between pupils in two very different countries and cultures.

Rory Stewart said: "When many of our small, rural schools remain uncertain of their long-term future, I feel it is important to recognise and celebrate these milestones.

" Some local schools, will sadly now never make it to their 175th anniversary, and every school that closes is a tragedy for the life and soul of a rural village.

" Greystoke fortunately is a great example of a local primary school doing very well. I was only too happy to join in celebrations marking this occasion, and I am confident the school will be here to celebrate many more milestones still to come."