A zip wire for teddies, a magical unicorn and a glimpse into times gone by were just some of the ingredients for a special school birthday.

Hundreds of youngsters past and present joined in the party at St Margaret Mary Catholic Primary School in Carlisle.

They were celebrating the 80th anniversary of the school in Upperby.

Old photographs, videos and headteachers’ logs stretching back to its opening day in 1938 were on display and former pupils brought in their own mementoes of school days.

The gala day included a 100ft zip wire stretching from the church tower into the school playing field for teddy bears to slide down.

Executive head teacher Chris Wilkins explained: “The idea was to celebrate a school that has been serving the community for 80 years and we had people from the very first class all the way through to the latest generation.”

Nearly 400 people attended the party, which started with mass at 11am before the gala opened at 2pm.

Mr Wilkins said: “It was a lovely day.

“Everything went well and there was a real family feel with ex-pupils and families getting together and catching up and those who couldn’t attend sending messages and posting old photos on Facebook.”

While former pupils enjoyed looking through old photos and films indoors, including headmasters’ logs, the present-day pupils enjoyed the fun outside.

The logs were kept until 20 years ago to record the day-to-day life of the school, including teachers’ absences and the holding of a minutes silence to mark the death of King George VI.

Mr Wilkins added: “We had a unicorn – we wanted it to be a memorable day for the children and what is more memorable than a unicorn?

“We also had a 100ft zip wire so children could sponsor their teddies to go down it.”

Deputy head Luke Denny attached the bears to the wire at the top of the church tower, with Mr Wilkins waiting at the other end ready to catch the daredevil cuddly toys.

“We were very careful with them, no bears were harmed in the making of the gala,” he said.

And the celebrations for the 239-pupil school continue next week with a special musical performance to mark the milestone.

Titled This is Me - 80 Years Musical Celebration, the show will feature songs from each decade of the school’s existence, with songs such as Roll Out The Barrel and tunes from Oliver! Les Miserables and Mamma Mia!

Tickets have already sold out.