STAFF and students at a Nelson school marked the end of an era at their presentation evening last night.

Edge End High School's acting head teachers Howard Hughes and Ian Adlington said the event was tinged with sadness but also hope for the future as they celebrated students' academic, sporting and extra-curricular successes over the past year.

The school will be merged with Mansfield High School to form a new school called Marsden Heights Comm-unity College as part of the multi-million pound shake-up of secondary education in Burnley and Pendle.

The Mayor of Pendle Coun Sharon Davies and former student and North West MEP Sajjad Karim were among the guests at the presentation evening.

Mr Adlington said: "It is, for me, a real privilege this year, along with Mr Hughes, to share in the leadership of Edge End High School during its final year. There is an obvious sadness attached to this responsibility.

"A sadness shared by those of us who have been associated with the school over the many years of its history

"But there is also a real need to move education in East Lancashire forward and to provide the very best that we can for our children as well as for future generations in Pendle.

"In meeting this need we all face challenges, two of which are to end the life of Edge End High School on a really high note and to take the strengths of Edge End into the new schools."

Staff will be organising events and activities to celebrate Edge End's history and working towards a smooth transition for the students.

Mr Adlington said: "We must ensure that the pupils' education, their careers and their futures are given the highest priority throughout this necessary period of change and transition.

"A school after all is not its buildings.

"It is the people who occupy and use those buildings and the quality of the relationships that exist between them.

"Edge End is a family. We all work together for the success of the children and each other.

"Long may that continue."