A GROUP of former pupils and teachers reunited for the first time in five years to mark their school’s 90th anniversary.

Nearly 140 people attended the Laindon High Road School reunion to share their fond memories with old friends, classmates and colleagues.

Attendees travelled from far and wide to attend the event, with one couple Lesley Cousins and Ivan Gibson, flying back from their home in Spain especially for the occasion.

Paul Gibson, a former pupil and governor of the school organised the reunion at the Laindon Community Centre, which is the third since the school closed in 2000.

He said: “The turnout was excellent and it was lovely to see everyone.

“As this gathering was aimed at pupils who attended the school from 1958 to 1968, many had not seen old friends for nearly 60 years so many friendships were renewed – many people exchanged phone numbers and addresses for future contacts.

“Many people also brought old school photos with them to help identify themselves but most relied on their name badges.

“We had videos of our previous reunions, which took place in 2000 and 2011, playing on the wall so people could see themselves and their friends when they were younger.”

There was a special guest at the event, Paul Egholm, who used to perform as lead singer in the Eighties band the Pinkees.

He delighted guests by playing several hits during the event.

The Laindon History and Archive group, which is made up of many former pupils, also brought along old photos and memorabilia to display at the gathering.

Mr Gibson, 65, of Langdon Hills, added: “It was so successful that, even though the evening finished at 11pm, it took quite some time getting people to leave and many people were still chatting in the car park after midnight.

“People have already asked when the next one will be.”

The Laindon School opened in 1928 as the Laindon High Road Council School before becoming solely secondary in 1933.

The schools’ first Headmaster was George Radford, who retired in December 1949.

The school closed for the final time in 1998 and the buildings were demolished in 2007 to make room for a housing estate.

Visit: laindonhighroadschool.co.uk for further information about the reunion.