A SERVICE of thanksgiving for a Malvern school celebrating its 50th anniversary was held at Malvern Priory on Saturday.

The Chase has had 16,000 pupils pass through its doors since it opened half a century ago.

Rev Colin Rogers, a former deputy head of the school, took the service, which was attended by staff, governors, parents, friends and pupils past and present.

Heather Williamson, chairman of governors at the Chase, said the service went well and everyone had a really good time.

"We celebrated the remarkable character of the school and how God's hand has been on it through the years," she said.

Performances from the school's a cappella choir and brass band entertained more than 200 people who attended, including former staff members Ralph Storer and Ken Vose.

Violinist Eleanor Percy and organist Liam Cartwright also performed at the service. Both Chase graduates, they are now successful musicians. Liam has won an organ scholarship at the Royal College of Music, London and Eleanor is a junior fellow at the Trinity College of Music and has enjoyed worldwide success with her duo partner Irina Lyakhovskaya, who played piano at the service. Christopher Wilsden played a trumpet fanfare.

After the thanksgiving the congregation enjoyed a cake made by Magda Houlton, decorated with the school crest and pictures of old and new parts of the school.