CHILDREN at St John’s School in Tisbury celebrated the school’s 40th anniversary by setting off lots of blue and white helium balloons and having a tea party.

The pupils, who enjoyed birthday cake and ice cream, wrote their names on small tags and tied them to the balloons, and are now waiting to see which one flies the furthest.

Headteacher Lee Chandler said: “The event marked the day the school was founded 40 years ago and was organised by the Friends of St John’s, which was lovely.

“The balloon release ties in really nicely with our whole school topic at the moment which is Round the World in 60 days.

“All the children and most of the staff had a balloon which they released – there’s a prize for the owner of the one which goes the farthest.”

The school plans to hold further celebrations in the new term.