A COMMUNITY celebration is planned to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Lakes School.

The Troutbeck Bridge-based school was opened on October 8 1965 by the then Secretary of State for Education, Tony Crossland.

He wanted to open the school as it was one of the first purpose-built comprehensives in the country.

Plans are now afoot to celebrate its 50 years of achievement.

MORE TOP STORIES: There will be a formal marking of the opening on October 8, exactly 50 years on, and on October 10 there will be a school and community celebration involving the current and former school members going back half a century.

Headteacher Andy Cunningham said: "This is the right time for us to mark the work the school has done over the past 50 years and the achievements of its present and past pupils in the walks of life they have chosen, including such vital work as caring for infirm people so they can stay in their own homes, going onto more education or setting up and running their own businesses."