SCHOOLCHILDREN from a Preston primary school donned 70s gear and bopped 'till they dropped to celebrate a special birthday.

St Peter's Primary School, in Meadowfield, Fulwood, was transformed into a Seventies supernova on Friday for the school's silver jubilee celebrations.

Pupils dressed up in outfits and got into the swing with a range of '70s soundtracks provided by rocking headteacher Roy Mason.

And pupil Ashley Swinburne, 10, from Fulwood, even wore his dad's treasured Bay City Rollers outfit -- a tartan number created by his grandmother when Ashley's dad was a Shang-a-lang fan.

Mr Mason said: "The whole day was buzzing and the children were so well behaved which is difficult when there is so much excitement in the air."

As well as famous Abba tracks and piercing punk records Mr Mason entertained the pupils with a modern version of the Bee Gee's hit Tragedy, recorded by pop band Steps, to bring a contemporary feel to the day.

He added: "I wanted to arrange the music because we had been studying the '70s era for this day -- so I borrowed some DJ equipment and got stuck in. I've never done it before but I had a whale of a time and it's a good thing I enjoy teaching or I may have considered a career change."

Many costumes were handmade by nostalgic parents and plenty of children enjoyed dressing as punks, hippies, mods and rockers and groovy disco diva's.

And the day was the icing on the cake for two long-serving standing members of staff who both two retire tomorrow (Friday).

Deputy headteacher David Simpson, 60, has been at the school for 18-years and while nursery nurse June Potts has assisted plenty of young learners for 12-years.

Mr Mason said: "David has made a great contribution to our community as well as our school. He has also been a cub leader and cub football manager for the past 40 years.

"He has always been heavily involved in extra curricular activities -- he is one of the reasons that the school is so popular with parents.

"June is a very calm and reassuring influence on the children who will miss both teachers immensely."