A SURPRISE party marked a Colwall headmaster's 25 years in the job.

Past pupils, now parents of pupils at Colwall Primary School, were there to help Richard Southall celebrate yesterday (Thursday).

During the festivities, Mr Southall was treated to written and picture tributes by the school's children.

But he was most impressed that the Friends of Colwall School had provided cake for the children.

"It's a lovely school and it's that sort of feeling towards each other that makes it such a great place to be - and is probably why I've stayed here so long," he said.

Mr Southall joined the school after four years as a teacher in Somers Park in Malvern Link.

Since then, he has overseen a massive expansion. Student numbers have grown from 78 to 192 and the school has moved from split to single site.