IT was with great sadness that I read that St Paul's School in Ramsbottom is going to close.

As a former pupil of the school, where I passed my 11-plus in 1974, I have fond memories of those days when teachers were held in great respect, none more so than Mr Pickles who travelled from near Blackburn every day to teach us, whatever the weather.

When I moved from Ramsbottom in 1972 to live in Crawshawbooth in Rossendale, I made a similar journey myself to St Paul's every day because I didn't want to leave the school.

What will happen to the school now? Will it just stand empty or has it a future as a night-school or a community meeting place with its location being in the centre of the town? Surely a building with so many memories cannot be abandoned.

A. HOLMES (Mr)