PUPILS, friends and guests at St Augustine's RC High School in Billington were asked to reflect on their faith last night as tributes were paid to members of the school community.

At the annual prize night, headteacher Anthony McNamara shared happy memories of two colleagues and a pupil who have died this year.

For the first time this year the speech was delivered with the help of a digital presentation.

And he turned to images of pupils laughing and joking in class and activities to highlight the school's pride in pupil achievement.

The school was closed yesterday to allow staff to attend the funeral of Peter Keegan, who died at home last week. His wife Anne-Marie is an English teacher at the school.

Mr McNamara said: "The untimely loss of this wonderful man has deeply affected all who were privileged to know him."

He also offered condolence to the family of twin Becky Holt who died suddenly aged 13, six months ago. "The phrase which appeared under her photograph encapsulated Becky. She walked gently in the world and, though short, her life was graced with those lovely qualities which would make any parent or any school proud of her."

Tributes were paid to Julie Miller, a member of the school cleaning staff known for always having a smile, who also died. Donations have been given for the new school chapel.

Mr McNamara said: "It is in our school motto that we find some solace as we struggle to make sense of these losses. The two Latin words under our crest are Fidei Heredes, Inheritors of the Faith, and it is that true and certain hope of the resurrection which Jesus spoke of in the Sermon on the Mount when he said, 'Happy are those who mourn: They shall be comforted'."

Guest speaker was Mike Finley, principal of St Mary's College, Blackburn. Mayoral parties from the Ribble Valley, Hyndburn and Clitheroe attended, along with chair of governors Fr Edmund Willoughby, who was thanked for "loving St Augustine's as much as we love him".