EMOTIONAL sixth formers bid a fond farewell to their city school at an end-of-year Cathedral service yesterday.

The King's School, Worcester's annual ceremony gave leavers a last chance to say their goodbyes to classmates, friends and teachers alike, before their final school holidays begin.

The 17 and 18-year-olds were dressed for the occasion in suits, summer dresses and hats, while the ideal weather ensured a marquee lunch, on College Green, passed without hitch.

And "King's Day" also allowed the school to celebrate the successes of the past year, including producing one of the top five school newspapers in the country and the opening of a new music department.

"There was an end-of-term assembly and the chance to speak to teachers and other parents, but King's Day is really about the students that are leaving the school," said Russell Mason, an economics teacher at the school.

"About five years ago we had about 750 to 780 pupils, whereas next September we will have almost 1,000 students.

"But one of the things that King's manages so well is to keep in touch with all its past pupils and to retain excellent links with those who are leaving."

The day started with a school assembly, followed by a ceremony for students, parents and all the staff in Worcester Cathedral - one of its largest services of the year.

In keeping with tradition, King's Day ended with a cricket match between the school's First XI and a team of ex-pupils at the school's New Road games pitches.