FROM its first day in 1881, the story of Blackburn Ragged School was one of great social and religious achievement.

And 1966 marked a milestone in its life, for a £26,000 renovation opened and superintendent, the Rev Philip Royston Bishop was marking his 20th year at the helm.

Mr Bishop had come to Blackburn after the war, when his doctor advised him to get out of London.

"My wife and I looked at many places, but the Ragged School was the biggest nut to crack," he commented.

"When we first came, one shocking day in 1947, we thought it would be last place on earth we would settle in, but we've both been working so hard since, that we've never had time to think about going back to London."

Mr Bishop helped workers change the character of the ministry at the school, with more Christian giving.

For instance, they started to take hundreds of children to the seaside or country every year, distributed coal and presents at Christmas and provided cheap lunches for old people.

He said at the time: "We are continuing the charitable work of the last 85 years, but we have changed, as has Blackburn.

"People have never been as well off as they are today."