A WEBSITE for ex-pupils of three Blackpool schools has gone from strength to the strength, thanks to a £200 grant from British Telecom.

The site -- www.meliora.com -- is for former pupils of Blackpool Grammar School and the now-demolished Collegiate School For Girls, and their replacement -- Blackpool Collegiate High School.

Owner Martin Wilson is an ex-pupil of Blackpool Grammar and he set up the site up in October 1999.

He told the Citizen it has proved more popular than he could ever have imagined: "We have had more than 13,000 visitors since 1999 from 50 different countries."

Martin went on to say that he successfully applied for £200 funding from the BT In The Community scheme which rewards projects designed to enrich the community. He said: "The money was really useful as it enabled me to buy dedicated webspace. Before this the site address was so long and drawn out, but with the new space we could shorten the address to meliora.com."

The site contains newspaper and magazine articles from the past and present as well as historical information and photographs, and has proved an invaluable tool for arranging reunions and contacting ex-pupils.

There have been nine reunions already for ex-pupils, many of whom said they would simply not have known about them were it not for the website. Martin said: "We are always looking to trace ex-pupils, and anyone who would like more information on reunions should log on to www.meliora.com"

Alternatively, people wanting more information can call Martin Wilson on (01772) 265505.

Pictured here l-r at a reunion for 1971 pupils are Martin Wilson, Susan Wilson (1976 reunion organiser) and Linda Coyne and Gaynor Williams (1971 reunion organisers).