AN independent school celebrating its 40th anniversary is appealing for help to fill in the gaps in its history and locate some of its very first pupils.

Bredon School first threw open its doors to 17 pupils in September 1962.

"Too many boys with gifts to offer who were good at games, or talented at more practical work for example, were being denied opportunities at other schools," said Lt-Col AK Sharp, the school's first headmaster.

"Bredon School was founded to provide those opportunities."

Forty years on, the school, based at Pull Court, Bushley, near Upton-upon-Severn, is a mixed day and boarding school with 225 pupils.

Managing director David Keyte revealed staff had spent the past few months sifting through old school records.

"We unearthed some of the very first documents, but unfortunately some of them were damp and impossible to decipher," said Mr Keyte.

"As a result of our detective work, we have been able to track down some of the very first pupils from the 1962-3 academic year.

"But there are still some gaps in our knowledge, and we'd very much like to hear from anyone who had connections with Bredon School in its first few years."

Anyone with information who has not already been in touch with the school is asked to contact Mr Keyte's office on 01684 293156 or e-mail keytedj@bredonschool.worcs.sch.uk