200 balloons mark school anniversary.

HUNDREDS of balloons were launched into the sky as a Middlesbrough primary school celebrated its 40th anniversary.

The 200 ruby red balloons were released during an event, at St Thomas More's RC Primary School, to highlight a week of celebrations.

A special mass has been held at St Thomas More's Church in Beechwood, and past staff and pupils have been visiting the school to look at old photographs.

And pupils at the school have been working hard looking in to the school's history.

Headteacher Jane Apolloni said: "It is a very exciting time for our school because it is our 40th anniversary.

"To mark the occasion we have released 200 balloons and each balloon has been sponsored by parents and members of the school, parish and local community.

"The first person to have their balloon returned will win pounds 40.

"Each class has had a different decade to research and see the changes over that decade.

"We've produced a DVD of images and words of each decade from 1969 through to today."

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EXCITING TIME: Headteacher Jane Apolloni THE ONLY WAY IS UP: 200 balloons were released by pupils and staff, above and left Pictures by IAN McINTYRE