A SHERBORNE school held a celebration to mark 25 years since it was first opened by royalty.

The Sherborne Abbey Primary site on Lenthay Road was officially opened by Prince Edward and his wife Sophie in 2000.

The celebrations were combined with some slightly early birthday celebrations for Trinity Care resident Sheila, who will celebrate turning 100 years old in the next few weeks.

Although no royal officials could attend this time, the headteacher and deputy were joined by many of the teaching staff from 25 years ago who were delighted to celebrate the occasion.

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Students even dug up a time capsule buried 25 years ago when the new school was built.

Pupils singing Happy Birthday to Sheila who will soon turn 100 Picture: SAST

This contained videos of the children at the time, photographs of all the children at Sherborne Abbey School then and a book of memories, which the current children will read over the coming weeks before deciding what to put in their own time capsule to be buried for future generations.

A school spokesperson said: “The children were entertained with songs from the school choir. Years 5 and 6 sang a few of their upcoming production numbers, and the school’s musical theatre group also performed.

“Year 3 children then read an ode to Sheila, looking back at all the changes she would have seen in her 100-year life and paying particular attention to her time at Bletchley Park as a codebreaker!”