MORE than 300 people packed into Keighley Local Studies Library for a school reunion.

Former pupils and staff of the town's old Highfield School, and others who had connections with its past, attended the event.

There was a chance for people to reminisce and view an exhibition of photos.

Highfield School stood for 88 years in Drewry Road, Keighley, but closed its doors for the final time in the summer of 2000.

The reunion was staged by the local studies library in conjunction with Keighley Schools Heritage Group.

A library spokesperson says: "The late David Kirkley started the local schools heritage movement in around 2009.

"The love of his life was Keighley Cougars, but Highfield School came a close second!

"David was a good friend of the local studies library. He was always there for us, either putting up displays or quietly giving a helping hand on heritage days.

"A lot of hard work as a team went into making the reunion finally happen.

"I know that David would have given anything to be with us at the event – who knows, perhaps he was – but either way he finally got his reunion, and we dedicated it to him."

There were several speakers, spanning different periods of the school's history.

First to speak – at the opening ceremony – was Brian Mackley, who attended the school in the early 1940s.

David Driver recounted his experiences of Highfield in the 1970s, and also acted as event DJ, playing music based around school life.

Zebun Niwaz spoke about the school during the1980s.

And the final speaker was Trevor Dixon, deputy head when the school closed. He described the school's "happy atmosphere".

The spokesperson added: "Around 350 people climbed the stairs to the local studies library throughout the course of a very hectic day.

"All were full of interest, enthusiasm and excitement, with some noisily reverting straight back to their childhood ways as they recognised faces from their past! One woman hadn’t been a pupil at the school herself, but said she felt a need to come as her late husband spoke so fondly of it. To sum up the day, it was a feeling of joy. There was much to celebrate, and so many memories to look back on."

When Highfield School closed, all 240 pupils at that time received a thesaurus as a leaving present.

The building was subsequently demolished.