MEMORIES - Jack Tear, left, and Charles Watts both went to the Newton Road school.

Carolyn Wibberley who is retiring

PAST and present pupils and teachers gathered to celebrate more than 100 years of history at a school which closes on Friday.

Newton Road Infants School, in Rushden, hosted a special party on Saturday because after this week it will cease to exist as it merges with Newton Road Junior to form one school.

About 600 tickets were sold for the party.

A display of school photographs from the school's 106-year history and a video compilation of performances given over the years by pupils was shown.

Head teacher Carolyn Wibberley, who will be taking early retirement, has been at the school 15 years.

She said: "The party is just a way of saying thank you to the people who've supported the school over the years. They've been a very good group to work with."