FORMER pupils of Stonyhurst College enjoyed a special trip to Belgium.

Senior members of the Stonyhurst Association visited the city of Bruges, where Stonyhurst College was based in the 1700s, during the persecution of the Jesuits.

Peter Hardwick, of Waddington Road, Clitheroe, taught English at Stonyhurst College for 40 years and during the trip proudly wore the medals of his late father, who won the Military Medal for Gallantry following a battle at nearby Ypres in World War One.

Peter and wife Brigid, who taught French and English at Stonyhurst College for 22 years, have visited Bruges before and led the party of 40, which included former pupils from the 1950s and 60s, on a walking tour of the city.

Simon Fordham, one of the organisers, said members of the association came from all over Britain to join the pilgrimage, during which daily mass was celebrated by former Stonyhurst College pupil Fr Nick King SJ.

"It was a very special visit for all of us and it was a great privilege that Peter and his wife joined us. And Fr Nick helped us examine how the deeds of past Stonyhurst pupils are related to our present and future," he said.

Former Stonyhurst College pupil Lieutenant Maurice Dease was awarded the first Victoria Cross for his courage during the 1914 Battle of Mons, near Bruges. Two other former pupils also won VCs during the Great War.

It was the first battle the British Army had fought in Europe for 99 years.