Past pupils and old friends have been reunited as a Norfolk village's primary school celebrated its centenary.

The hall at Rollesby Primary School was packed all day with former pupils whose collective memory spanned almost all of the school’s hundred years.

To help celebrate the centenary of the school near Great Yarmouth, Ann Bates, 92 cut a birthday cake.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Ann Bates with the 100th anniversary cake Picture: Rollesby Primary SchoolAnn Bates with the 100th anniversary cake Picture: Rollesby Primary School (Image: Rollesby Primary School)

She first attended the school in 1936, her mother having been a teacher at the school when it first opened in 1923.

Many of her contemporaries were at the event too, with one photograph from 1945 attracting particular attention as several former classmates, all aged around 90, were reunited after almost 80 years.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Former pupils attended the event at Rollesby Primary School Picture: Rollesby Primary SchoolFormer pupils attended the event at Rollesby Primary School Picture: Rollesby Primary School (Image: Rollesby Primary School)

An exhibition of photographs and archive material was put together by Rollesby historian Glenda Tooke, with the assistance of former headteachers, Diane Jary and Sue Pickles, and school historian Barbara Woodrow.

Pupils also contributed their own historical research for the many display boards which visitors pored over throughout the day.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: A treasure trove of school photographs was on display Picture: Rollesby Primary SchoolA treasure trove of school photographs was on display Picture: Rollesby Primary School (Image: Rollesby Primary School)

“It has been wonderful to see the joy today has brought to so many former pupils of our school,” said executive headteacher Jonathan Rice.

“We never dreamt there would be so many visitors.

"People have been pouring through the doors all day and there have been so many extraordinary conversations between people who, in some cases, haven’t seen each other for many years.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The event was well attended Picture: Rollesby Primary SchoolThe event was well attended Picture: Rollesby Primary School (Image: Rollesby Primary School)

“It shows what a special place the school has in the heart of the community.”

Mr Rice added that school is indebted to Mrs Tooke for putting together such a fascinating collection of photographs from the earliest years of the school’s history, to complement the school’s own.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The flashback photographs drew a lot of interest Picture: Rollesby Primary SchoolThe flashback photographs drew a lot of interest Picture: Rollesby Primary School (Image: Rollesby Primary School)

The school on Main Road was built in 1923, replacing the former Rollesby Church School which was on the site of the present village hall.