A reunion of pupils who attended Kingsteignton Secondary Modern School from 1969 to 1974 has been held in honour of a classmate who lost his battle with ­cancer.

The event, at Abbrook Social Club, attracted a good number of former chums from classes 5T and 5W, and was the brainchild of John Radford, who had suggested the get-together in memory of Graham Tapper.

A presentation was made by one of their favourite former teachers, Gerry Rooke, whom many of those present had not seen since 1974.

Mr Radford said: 'Mr Rooke was probably the one who had altered the least out of all of us. The evening was great fun and made us all feel 16 again, well at least for a few hours.'

Donations on the night resulted in more than £70 being passed to the Kingsteignton Swimming Pool and Recreation Association.

'Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make the evening such a success,' said another former pupil, Sandra Avery.

'If you were in either class 5T or 5W in 1974 and were not able to be contacted, please get in touch with me on 07724 102467.'

Pictured are (names as known in 1974) – standing, from left, Sonia Hutchings, Linda Guppy, Carole Dennis, John Radford, Darryl Parker, Andrew Vickery, Paul Kwidzinski, Janet Morcombe, Michael Grylls, John Baker, Susan Carne, Felicity Cornish, Neil Bougourd, Susan Solway, Philip Pearce, and Mark Stride (Tony Peabody was hiding!) kneeling – Sandra Avery, Jane Basham, Alison Hayes, Neil Frost, David Aggett, Michael Andrews, Julie Tremeer and David Pope.