PUPILS past and present descended on Baines School in Poulton to take part in a six-a-side football tournament.

Ex-pupils came from as far afield as London and Wrexham to take part in the competition, held on the school's all-weather pitch.

Six teams competed in the tournament, with three teams of current pupils taking on three teams of old boys.

And experience triumphed over youth, with former Baines pupil Pete Smith leading his team to victory.

Andy Lowe, Rob Cackett, Nigel Carruthers, Carl Holden and Pete Keene made up the trophy-winning side.

Event organiser John Strachan declared the event a success, although injury restricted him to a spectator's role.

He said: "It was competitive as usual, but played in a good spirit."

Around 40 pupils took part in the competition, which has been running for three years. Plans are already afoot for an even bigger celebration next year to mark the Millennium.

Teachers and governors at Baines are now embarking on an initiative to raise £500,000 to build a sports centre.

The school has already received planning permission for the centre, and headmistress Muriel Ryding hopes the money will be raised by 2001.

She said: "This is our Millennium project and everybody's terribly excited about it.

"We are the only school on the Fylde Coast without a proper sports hall. At the moment, we have to make do with a small gym.

"We have been able to put up several new buildings in the past few years, but this is really the final piece of the jigsaw."

The school plans to raise the money with the support of parents, past pupils and local businesses.

Barclays Bank have already donated nearly £2,000 to the scheme.

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