A year of celebrations is planned at The Chase High School, in Malvern, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the largest school in Worcestershire

A series of events to mark the occasion is being drawn up by staff, governors and The Chase Association.

The original Chase County Secondary School, in Geraldine Road, opened officially on September 10, 1953, although some students had been there since April of that year.

The school had 699 pupils and 35 staff, who moved in after the four-year building project was completed. There are now 1,700 pupils on the register.

Roger Pitt, chairman of The Chase Association, outlined some of the ideas being mooted for the coming 12 months.

"There will be all sorts of things happening," he said. "We want to involve all current students including current Year 6 students. We want to build on the links between the feeder primary schools and The Chase."

Mr Pitt said the highlight of the year would be a big social event similar to the annual ball.

"We're hoping to have one huge 'do' and the that the music during the evening will represent the six decades," he said.

Anyone interested in taking part is asked to get in touch.

"We're planning to publish something to celebrate the 50 years and are looking for anything that might be of interest such as photos, stories, famous Chase students, where they are now etc," said Mr Pitt.

Other events being considered are a sports tournament for local primary schools and a competition to design a new school flag.

As well as celebrating the anniversary, the planned events will also raise money for new equipment in the school hall, which is due for a full modernisation programme with improved disabled facilities before 2004.

Mr Pitt can be contacted via The Chase, on 01684 891961.