FORMER Appleton Hall County Grammar School pupils shared a night of memories, laughter and tears when they reunited after 30 years.

Around 200 ex-students and teachers from the school, which is now known as Bridgewater High School, turned out for the event on the lower site grounds, on Hall Drive, last month.

A total of £1,500 was raised for St Rocco's Hospice during the Last Friday Club, a reference to the Appleton Hall discos of yesteryear, and John Muscutt, who has been a physics teacher at the school for 42 years, was presented with a gold disc for his commitment.

Chief organiser Rob Nolan was stunned with the response and thanked all involved for their efforts.

He said: "It was a brilliant event and we are already speaking about having another one next Christmas.

"The best bit about it all was seeing everyone together having such a good time and dancing after 30 years – it brought a lot of memories back.

"It was like everyone was 18 again, the room was filled with happiness.

"The main aims for the night were to bring everyone together, celebrate Mr Muscutt's career and raise money for charity.

"Mr Muscutt retired at the end of this academic year and we wanted to thank him for all he has done.

"It has been a real team effort and was a great thing to be a part of."

But Rob admits it would not have been possible without the power of social media.

"In February I launched a Facebook group called the Friday Club. It started off with about 20 or 30 people in it but then within two weeks more than 400 people had joined," he added.

"We speak with each other on there and organised it through that – the group will stay in place."

St Rocco's praised the former pupils and teachers after donations were handed over to the Bewsey-based charity shortly after the emotional event.