PLANS are under way to host a series of events to mark a school's 450th birthday later this year.

Clitheroe Royal Grammar School was founded in 1554 by Royal Charter from Queen Mary I and King Philip of Spain.

Now, four-and-a-half centuries on, events to mark the milestone have been arranged. On July 7, the school's annual Commemoration Day service will take place at Clitheroe Parish Church from 11am.

A video link will be set up to the local church hall so people who cannot get into the church can still watch the service.

Cricket matches on July 9, between Old Boys and staff and students will also be held on the school's Chatburn Road site, while an exhibition of the school's archives - including the original charter - will be adding to the celebrations in the sixth form centre library, on York Street, on Saturday, July 10.

That evening, a 450th anniversary dinner will be held at Blackburn Rovers' Ewood Park ground, with money raised from the night going towards building new classrooms at the Chatburn Road site.

Tickets are £30 for the night event, and they go on sale later this month. For more details on events, log on to the school's website at www.clitheroe.lancsngfl.ac.uk