PUPILS at the Upper George Street School in Tyldesley - more usually referred to as the British School - line up for this 1955 photograph.

The school was built in 1902 after Top Chapel trustees decided more pupil accommodation was needed than could be provided by church schools.

In its early days it was known as the British School; later it became a council school, then a junior mixed school until it closed.

First headmaster was George Beddow whose spinster daughter, Dorothy, taught at Leigh Girls' Grammar School.

Tyldesley Historical Society president Jimmy Jones recalled a tale related to him by Craddy Evans - a pupil during "Daddy" Beddow's reign:

"He let all the pupils out of school so they could watch a First World War tank go down Well Street under its own steam for display in Tyldesley Park. As it turned into the park it knocked down two trees which capped a fascinating sight for the children."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.